The experience of Wagogo women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in Tanzania

Hayeshi, Asha H.

Abstract

This study has been carried out amidst new developments made at global, regional and local levels regarding the practice of Female Genital Mutilations (FGM). The declarations, conventions and articles agreed and implemented by the UN member states and the regional organs such as the African Union have put in place strategies to eliminate FGM. Moreover, the respective state governments have passed legislation against FGM. Following these developments and initiatives there has been increased social paradigm shift targeting the essence of the FGM practice. The shift has discouraged some parents from sending their girls for circumcision, but also has pushed FGM underground. The open initiation rites where boys and girls were pronounced adults, and which served as a strong social support for the circumcised women have been dismantled.

Against this background, this thesis explores the experience of Wagogo women who have undergone FGM and the knowledge, attitudes and practice of former circumcisers in Dodoma Tanzania. The study has employed a constructivist-interpretivist theoretical stance, approaching it through explorative qualitative design involving 25 circumcised women and three former circumcisers. Data were gathered using semi-structured interviews within the broader feminist perspective; and were analysed thematically.

The findings suggest that, indeed women circumcised under a patriarchy experience both overt and covert pain. Within the social paradigm shift there is weakening of social support; hence, destabilization of engagement coping strategies that used to assist circumcised women to cope with the overt pain. Consequently, more women are suffering from covert pain because of untreated overt pain but also due to failed engagement coping strategies. Subsequently, more circumcised women have resorted to disengagement strategies to alleviate covert pain. While new developments safeguard girls who are yet to be circumcised, none of them consider the predicament of circumcised women. Hence, the study seeks to empower the latter so that their plight and voice can be heard.

Citation

Hayeshi, A. H. The experience of Wagogo women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in Tanzania. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4221217

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 15, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Health sciences
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4221217
• Additional Information: Department of Health Studies, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Oct 1, 2017