Why FGM is still performed?

 

FGM is practised for a variety of sociocultural reasons, varying from one region and ethnic group to another. The primary reason is that it is linked to the history and cultural traditions of the communities that practise it. In some settings it may constitute a rite of passage to adulthood and is also performed to confer a sense of ethnic identity within the community (9). In other contexts, social acceptance is a primary reason for continuing the practice. Other reasons identified include the belief that FGM will safeguard virginity before marriage, promote marriageability (i.e. increase a girl’s chances of finding a husband), ensure marital fidelity (9–11), prevent rape, and provide a source of income for FGM practitioners. In other settings, it is also done for hygienic or aesthetic reasons, to promote cleanliness and beauty. Some communities believe that FGM is a religious requirement, although it is not mentioned in major religious texts such as the Quran or the Bible, and the practice predates Islam and Christianity. Whatever the reason for its continuation, FGM reflects deep-rooted sociocultural beliefs and inequality between the sexes, making its complete abandonment challenging. As such, efforts to prevent and thus eventually end FGM worldwide must be strengthened, while ensuring that the health and psychosocial consequences are addressed.