The Impact of Socio-Economic Status on the Practice, Perception and Attitudes of Secondary School Girls towards Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Scientific investigations on the practice perception and attitudes of different sectors of society towards FGM are of vital importance for providing the necessary database for the formulation of pertinent strategies and interventions to combat the practice. All previous investigations were carried out among married women men and family. There is no published information regarding the children and adolescents who constitute an important sector of the society and expected to play a vital positive role in combating the practice. The present pioneer study focused on the perception and attitudes of secondary school girls in Khartoum State toward FGM. A special consideration was given to the impact of level of education and socio-economic status of the respondents parents. It was found that a direct relationship exists between the parents socio-economic status and the type of circumcision chosen for the respondents. Irrespective of the socio-economic status of the parents the respondents had positive attitudes regarding the circumcision of their future daughters. (excerpt)