Female "circumcision" in Africa: Culture, Controversy, and ChangeBettina Shell-Duncan, Ylva Hernlund Though the issue of female genital cutting, or circumcision, has become a nexus for debates on cultural relativism, human rights, patriarchal oppression, racism, and Western imperialism, the literature has been separated by diverse fields of study. In contrast, this volume brings together contributors from anthropology, public health, political science, demography, history, and epidemiology to critically examine current debates and initiatives, and to explore the role that scholars can and should or should not play in approaching the issue. Case studies from nine African countries where female genital cutting (FGC) is traditionally and currently performed evaluate the impact of international efforts to eliminate the practice. A focus on local reactions to external involvement underscores that the myriad programs fashioned to effect changes in FGC ritual and procedure must be initiated and supported by indigenous communities if they are to be lasting and effective. -- From product description. |
Contents
Is Female Circumcision a Maladaptive Cultural Pattern? | 41 |
To Marry and Bear Children? The Demographic Consequences | 55 |
Female Circumcision Among the Yoruba of Southwestern | 73 |
Views of Nigerian | 95 |
The Debate over Medicalization | 109 |
Lessons from | 129 |
Rogaia Mustafa Abusharaf | 151 |
Numu Women and the Campaign | 193 |
The Beginning of the | 253 |
An InsiderOutsider Reflects | 283 |
313 | |
The Contributors | 331 |
About the Book 349 | |
Other editions - View all
Female "circumcision" in Africa: Culture, Controversy, and Change Bettina Shell-Duncan No preview available - 2000 |
Common terms and phrases
activists African women Ahmadu Anthropology areas argues associated birth Bissau Boddy Bundu campaigns ceremony Chapter circum cision clitoridectomy clitoris CMPF complications consequences context cultural cumcision Dareer daughters debate discussion divorce Dorkenoo eradication ethnic groups excision female cir female circumcision female genital cutting female genital mutilation female initiation feminist fertility footbinding Gambia gender girls Guinea-Bissau Hosken human rights husband important infibulation interview Kenya Kono women Mackie male circumcision male genital cutting Mali Mandinga marriage married Meru mothers Muslim Myabé Ngaitana Nigeria Njuri Ncheke numu women numuw Obiora operation organizations percent performed polygynous population practice of female problem procedure region religious Rendille reported reproductive respondents rite role rural Sara sexual Shell-Duncan sion social society Somalia status Sudan Sudanese women survey tion Toubia traditional uncircumcised University urban village volume Western woman Yoruba young