Breaking with Traditions: Who Are the Innovators that Support Ending Female Genital Mutilation in Burkina Faso

Ilene Speizer, Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Elizabeth Gummerson, PMA, Johns Hopkins University
Fiacre Bazie, ISSP-UJKZ
Meagan Byrne, PMA, Johns Hopkins University
Yentema Onadja, Institut supérieur des sciences de la population
Philip Anglewicz, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Georges Guiella, Institut Supérieur des Sciences de La Population de L’Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo

Studies examining norms and behaviors around female genital mutilation (FGM) are needed to accelerate progress towards the elimination of this harmful practice. This study uses PMA data from a representative sample of women ages 15-49 from Burkina Faso. Two main outcomes related to innovative attitudes, norms and behaviors are used to determine which women who themselves experienced FGM are innovators for stopping the practice in the future. Results demonstrate that education and living in a Christian headed household are associated with having innovative attitudes and norms (e.g., believing personally that FGM should be abandoned and believing that the community thinks FGM should be abandoned). Conversely, girls and younger women (ages 15-24) are less likely to have innovative attitudes and norms than their older counterparts (ages 35+). In the analysis of women who experienced FGM and whether their daughter experienced FGM or they would practice FGM on a daughter, those who are not supportive of continuing the practice are more educated and Christian. Further, younger women are more likely to report that they would continue FGM than their older counterparts. Results are discussed in the context of strategies to eliminate FGM, particularly among women and communities where FGM is common.

Keywords: Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Gender Dynamics, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

See extended abstract.