Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change is a new UNICEF report, released July 22, 2013. It offers a statistical overview of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in the 29 countries where the practice is concentrated.
As described in the report’s introduction: “This report draws on data from more than 70 nationally representative surveys over a 20-year period and presents the most comprehensive compilation to date of statistics and analyses on FGM/C… It reviews all available DHS and MICS data, along with other nationally representative datasets with information on FGM/C, and examines differentials in prevalence according to social, economic, demographic and other characteristics.”
The report covers all 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East where FGM/C is concentrated and includes, for the first time, statistics from countries where representative survey data were lacking. It is also the first
publication to include new data collected on girls under 15 years of age, providing insights on the most recent dynamics surrounding the practice.
Importantly, as noted in the report’s introduction: “An innovative aspect of the analysis is the addition of a social norms perspective.” [Blogger’s note: This “innovative aspect’ may be at least partially thanks to cultural anthropologist, Bettina Shell-Duncan, who played a key role in the analysis and writing of the report].
Click here to read more.
anthropologyworks 