Female genital mutilation among antenatal care and contraceptive advice attendees in Sweden

Abstract

The reliability of the self-reported form of FGM is low, which may have implications for research, interventions and health care. Although many women express negative attitudes toward FGM and know about serious complications, the religious justifications, the practice of FGM on daughters, reinfibulation on adults and medicalization of the practice indicate attitudes that favor of the continued practice of FGM.

A Tradition in Transition: Factors Perpetuating and Hindering the Continuance of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Summarized in a Systematic Review

“…Additionally, 15 of the women explained that they had their daughter clitoridectomized while living in Scandinavia (Elgaali et al, 2005). Similar data confirming that FGM/C takes place in Western countries have been reported by others (Chalmers & Hashi, 2002; Litorp, Franck, & Almroth, 2008; Morison, Dirir, Elmi, Warsame, & Dirir, 2004; Thierfelder, Tanner, & Bodiang, 2005). …”

Factors associated with the support of pricking (female genital cutting type IV) among Somali immigrants – a cross-sectional study in Sweden

“…Religion and respectability of women were associated with the support of pricking, factors also known to be important in the assessment of other forms of FGC [33, 34]. Further, it has been suggested that having knowledge of and agreeing that FGC causes health consequences and is a violation of children’s rights is important for individuals to discontinue with FGC in general, although these aspects alone may not necessarily lead to the discontinuation of FGC [35].…”

The lower prevalence of female genital mutilation in the Netherlands: a nationwide study in Dutch midwifery practices

“…Again in Sweden, a questionnaire answered by 2,702 health care providers yielded answers supporting the hypothesis that this practice is not as widespread among African immigrants in Sweden as in their countries of origin. Although many migrant women in Sweden express negative attitudes towards FGM, at the same time there are attitudes in support of the practice (Litorp et al 2008). The study of Ahlberg et al (2004) making sense of eradication interventions and the persistence of female circumcision within the Swedish context was discussed by Johnsdotter and Essén (2005) who see reasons to focus on processes of abandonment of the practice instead of persistence.…”