Population Council Research that makes a difference

The design of this project was based on the results of a diagnostic study undertaken in 2004 to better understand the practice of female genital cutting among the Somali in North Eastern Province and in Nairobi. The diagnostic study found that the health system is ill-equipped to serve women who have been cut, in particular infibulated women who are pregnant and delivering. This project, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, provided training for 145 health workers from North Eastern Province in managing FGC-related complications generally, and specifically during and immediately following pregnancy and delivery.

Because many Somalis in this community believe that Islam requires FGM/C, the project also conducted seminars with Somali and non-Somali Islamic scholars on the medical effects of circumcision and the religious basis for the practice. The scholars found that no verse of the Quran or deeds or sayings of the Prophet support FGM/C—although male circumcision is strongly supported. Islamic messages on maintaining the health of the body, and on keeping the body hygienic for “clean” worship, are in fact relevant to the discontinuation of the practice. Work with the scholars is continuing, combined with outreach to community groups to encourage discussion of FGM/C and its cultural underpinnings.