Strategies for elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Ethiopia; a meta synthesis of national and regional studies

• Published in: African Journal of Gender and Women Studies 2022-09, Vol.7 (9), p.1
• Main Authors: Oladeji Olusola, Battle, Julia, Haithar, Ahmed, Zemzem, Shikur, Akullu Harriet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Female circumcision; Genital mutilation
• ISSN: 2736-1578; 2736-1578

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that consists of all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. This meta-synthesis identified and describedstrategies implemented for elimination of FGM practices in Ethiopiaand was conducted using systematic searches in electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar) and grey literature from 2012 to 2022.Some of the strategies identified to eliminate FGM practice included the enactment and enforcement of customary laws; empowering and engaging women and girls about their rights, andhealth risk education campaign onthe negative health impacts of FGM. Other strategies identified were the engagement of key gatekeepers of FGM practices which included religious leaders, traditional birth attendants,clanleaders, health workers,men and unmarried boys. The study highlighted some of the strategies and interventions that worked and other that have great potential to eliminate FGM practice in Ethiopia. The study also showed that implementationof a combination of diverse interventions which complement each-other and targeted at different actorsinvolved in the practice is essential so that the root cause of the practice in terms of gender and social norms are targeted for meaningful change in the practice of FGM.Key words; Female genital mutilation, strategies, interventions, elimination, meta synthesis.