WOMEN STATUS AND UNDERTAKING OF GENTAL MUTILATION TO THEIR DAUGHTERS

Abstract

Female genital mutilation is an important public health problem. It is a deeply rooted traditional practice which is still widely practiced and favoured by quite a large proportion of Egyptian communities both Christians and Muslims. It has an adverse effects on the health of girls and women as a large amount of healthy sensitive tissue of the female genitalorgans is commonly removed. It is estimated that around the world, there are between 100 and 132 million girls and women have been subjected to some form of genital mutilation and that 2 million girls per year are at risk. Lack of knowledge and misconception among Egyptian women about FGM and its complications may cause serious problems for the new generation. Women are in a unique position to assist in preventing FGM to their daughters. Some authors suggested that by empowering women and increasing their awareness about their rights and enabling them to have better access to education, work for cash, autonomy and decision making power could eradicate such harmful practice. Therefore the study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of FGM among the study sample and their daughters. It also investigates the relationship between women's status and undertaking of FGM to their daughters.