Publication: Eritrea - Eliminating a Harmful Traditional Practice
Date
2002-02
ISSN
Published
2002-02
Author(s)
Wolff, Peter H.
Abstract
Female genital mutilation is wide-spread
throughout many regions of Africa and elsewhere. It is
usually perpetrated during early childhood and has serious
consequences for the medical, gynecological, and obstetrical
well-being of girls. These effects persist throughout the
childbearing years and beyond. Less often recognized are the
psychological suffering, humiliation social dignity, and
self-concepts of the girls and women subjected to this
traditional practice. The quickest solution for stopping the
practice of female genital mutilation might appear to be to
forbid the practice and to impose penalties on those who
continued the practice. However, in view of the delicate
relationship between the independence forces and the
civilian population, it would have been politically
inappropriate to impose such legal measures. Instead, the
independent forces relied on the inherent intelligence and
willingness of the Traditional Birth Attendants to modify
their gynecological practices gradually, once they were
given the necessary modern medical information. This
approach also laid the groundwork for the continuing
education of women by women after independence--an
additional step towards assuring the equality of women.
Citation
“Wolff, Peter H.. 2002. Eritrea - Eliminating a Harmful Traditional Practice. Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Notes; No. 41. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/354b47ca-ecf0-573b-948a-8265607a8941 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”