Female Genital Mutilation Cases in Somalia and the Impact on Women’s Reproductive Health

This thesis delves into the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Somalia, exploring its historical, cultural, and health implications. FGM, deeply rooted in Somali tradition, presents severe risks to women's reproductive health and psychological well-being. Drawing from a comprehensive literature review, the study aims to analyze FGM prevalence, its physical and psychological impacts, and strategies for eradication. Theoretical frameworks by scholars like Connell, Deniz Kandiyoti, Valentine Moghadam, and Kimberlé Crenshaw illuminate the complex dynamics sustaining FGM. Despite legislative efforts, cultural resistance and structural inequalities perpetuate the practice, necessitating community-based interventions and holistic approaches encompassing healthcare, education, and empowerment. The study underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to end FGM, emphasizing survivor voices, interdisciplinary collaboration, and cultural sensitivity in interventions aimed at promoting gender equality and safeguarding women's rights in Somalia and beyond.