...Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology Vol. 4(5), pp. 117-122, May 2012 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/JPHE DOI: 10.5897/JPHE11.194 ISSN 2141-2316 ©2012 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Female genital mutilation in Southeast Nigeria: A survey on the current knowledge and practice Ibekwe Perpetus C.*, Onoh Robinson C, Onyebuchi Azubike K., Ezeonu Paul O. and Ibekwe Rosemary O. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. Accepted 9 April, 2012 Female genital mutilation (FGM) has been recognised as a major reproductive health problem and a dehumanising practice that has resisted change especially in developing countries. The study reviews the current knowledge and practice of FGM in Southeast Nigeria. This is a questionnaire based descriptive study involving women of reproductive age in Abakaliki, South east Nigeria. A semistructured questionnaire was distributed to 320 women by simple random sampling. Information sought included the socio-demographic characteristics, and personal information on FGM with regards to knowledge and practice. Two hundred and sixty (81.3%) were appropriate for analysis. The mean age of the respondents was 28.6 years ± 5.4 SD. Most had formal education, with tertiary education contributing 60.8%. A high percentage was aware of FGM, and the problem associated with it was 91 and 72%, respectively. Half of the respondents (49.6%) were genitally mutilated while almost the...
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...FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN THE UNITED STATES Protecting Girls and Women in the U.S. from FGM and Vacation Cutting ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Sanctuary for Families would like to recognize and thank the many women whose stories and voices inspired and informed this report. Their identities have been withheld for their safety and privacy. The primary authors of this report are Archana Pyati and Claudia De Palma. Mariama Diallo, Laura-Lee Atkinson-Hope, and Sayoni Maitra contributed significant research, writing, and editing, and Kaitlin Juleus designed the report. The law firm Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP contributed considerable legal research and analysis. ABOUT SANCTUARY FOR FAMILIES Sanctuary for Families is dedicated to the safety, healing and self-determination of victims of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence. Through comprehensive services for our clients and their children, and through outreach, education and advocacy, we strive to create a world in which freedom from gender violence is a basic human right. Based in New York City, Sanctuary offers clinical, legal, shelter and economic empowerment services to more than 10,500 adults and children each year. We also seek to address the systemic barriers that perpetuate the cycle of violence by engaging in public outreach and education, and advocating for legislative and policy change. Sanctuary’s Center for Battered Women’s Legal Services is the largest provider in the United States of legal services...
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...CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION Female circumcision is a traditional practice performed on girl children as part of initiation rituals into adulthood. This inquiry seeks to demystify the secretiveness surrounding this practice, seeking to establish the reasons why female circumcision remains a taboo subject. In doing so, the researcher will attempt to establish the local community’s perception of female circumcision and elucidate some of the reasons practitioners cite as benefits of female circumcision. The research focuses on Mabvuku and Tafara suburbs because there are people of different ethnic groups with varying customs and values that shape their behaviour and way of life. Mabvuku and Tafara have an unusually high concentration of people of Malawian, Mozambican and Zambian origin who migrated to seek work mostly before the Zimbabwean independence. Due to this diversity, women and girls who have undergone female circumcision were interviewed. Mabvuku is a high-density suburb some seventeen kilometres east of Harare. It is classified as a suburb or township of Harare, with the Harare City Council constituting local government. This inquiry is exploratory, descriptive and qualitative in nature, based on interviews with women who had undergone the practice in Mabvuku-Tafara. The inquiry can be termed therefore, a qualitative research done through a case study design. This research method is preferred because the researcher is exploring a subjective understanding of social reality...
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...Introduction According to Schweitzer et al (2007) ‘In the 2002-03 program year, Australia granted a total of 12 525 visas under its Humanitarian Program ( Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, 2003). In keeping with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) guidelines, priority was given to the resettlement of people from Africa, with this group comprising 47% of all humanitarian entrants (Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, 2003). Humanitarian immigrants present higher levels of stress and socialisation problems when compared to other migrant entrants (MacLennan, 1997). A significant portion of humanitarian entrants have ran from circumstances involving great violence and exhibit trauma, economic turmoil, loss of family and social networks, and significant breaks from education or work (Kline &Mone, 2003). Refugees tend to have experienced war and famine (Adams et al, 2004) and these experiences have led them to experience substantially trauma, involving physical and mental torture, sexual abuse, and other distressing conditions (Neuner et al, 2004). According to Farwell (2004), experiencing trauma during war and economic troubles leads to their mental turmoil. Experiencing and witnessing violence is connected to an array of various deliberating psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (Silove, 2001). Psychological distress related to psychosomatic...
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...Female Circumcision in Africa Amber Triplett June 23, 2015 Diversity: Dr. Saleem Introduction There are an estimated 130 million girls and women alive today whose human rights have been violated by female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). This harmful practice not only affects girls and women in Africa and the Middle East, where it is traditionally carried out, but also touches the lives of girls and women living in migrant communities in industrialized countries. Although collaborative advocacy has worked over recent decades has generated widespread commitment to end this practice, success in eliminating FGM/C has been limited, with some significant expectations. This harmful practice is a deeply entrenched social convention: when it is practiced, girls and their families acquire social status and respect. Failure to perform FGM/C brings shame and exclusion. Understanding how and why FGM/C persists is crucial for developing strategies that are most likely to lead to the abandonment of the practice. FGM/C affects far more women than previously thought. Recent analysis reveals that some three million girls and women are cut each year on the African continent (Sub-Saharan Africa, Egypt, and Sudan) (Yoder, 2004). What is female circumcision? Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) includes a range of practices involving the complete or partial removal or alteration of the external genitalia for nonmedical reasons. The procedure may involve the use of unsterilized, makeshift...
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...The Western approach to the Global South nations’ religious practice of Female Genital Mutilation. Despite the enormous impact of globalization on multiple aspects of life in countries around the world and the cultural homogenization, the First and the Third worlds’ mentalities remain extremely different. The distinction between both worlds sometimes leads to serious controversies. With the dominance of the European model of gender equality and the lack of understanding due to cultural differences, Western representatives tend to criticize the traditions like female genital mutilation (FGM). Their main concern is that women in the countries of the Global South are oppressed by these practices. Thus, Western feminists are unable to get past...
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...empowers the social instructor to view possessions in an interdisciplinary outlook. Acquaintance with the dynamics and practices in innumerable disciplines also provides the social educator a constructive basis for interdisciplinary collaboration with people in other professions, like nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists and pedagogues. Social skills form the foundation for social proficiency. Moreover, Bremer and Smith (2004, p.11) have defined the social competence as “the point to which students are able to establish as well as maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships. Along with gaining the peer acceptance, upholding friendships, and terminate negative or maleficent interpersonal relationships”. This fleeting analysis on the importance of social proficiency for youth, basically highlight the strategy for teaching social skill to youth with incompetency. Importance of Social Skills: Social skills also provision the constructive growth of healthy adult interactions with peers and family member. Research by Hair, et al (2006) observes that adolescents who have concrete...
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...Home JournalsBooksAbout UsMembershipSubscriptionAllies & FriendsContact us Culture And Child Abuse In Nigeria Charity N. Uzuegbu Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Abstract Cultural practises have been observed to increase the abuse of children in Nigeria. This paper discusses the effects of cultural practices on the abuse of children in Nigeria. Some of the cultural practices discussed are early marriage, female genital mutilation, and desire for large family size. It was suggested that public enlightenment programmes and free social services should be provided to help control the situation. Introduction The problem of child abuse is very prevalent in the Nigerian society. The problem arose as result of various factors which include economic, social, and cultural. It is accompanied by adverse consequences to the child, family and society. This paper discusses the influence of some of the cultural practices prevalent in Nigeria on child abuse. The aim of the study is to bring to limelight how some cultural practices increase the problem of child abuse in Nigeria, and suggest ways of controlling the situation. Data for the study was collected through the use of participant observation and secondary documents such as previous research works. Child abuse has been defined as the “physical or emotional mistreatment and neglect of children or the sexual exploitation in circumstances for which the parents can be held responsible through acts...
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...Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving? A Critical Analysis. There is the popular discussion in western countries, among feminists especially, surrounding the head coverings of Afghan Muslim women. These head coverings, as deemed by some western feminists, have been called oppressive, hence the need for these feminists to eradicate this form of oppression. Lila Abu-Lughod in her article Do Muslim Women Really Need Saving… challenges western thought surrounding Muslim women and the veil; she asks whether anthropology can justify the need for America to save Afghan women, and provides means in which Americans can actually help Afghan women. The author, although she provides instances in which the western world has invaded non-western countries...
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...Running head: WOMEN’S STATUS IN EGYPT Women’s Status in Egypt Women’s Status in Egypt Introduction Modern Egypt is like its dynastic counterpart, drawing sustenance from the Nile River. Today, as in the ancient period, most of the country’s population is concentrated along the river, fully 20% of it around Cairo. Modern Egyptian society is identified not with the ancient civilization but with the Arab culture is overwhelmingly identified with Islam, the religion followed by 90% of Egypt’s population (Library). Much about women’s position in modern Egypt can be traced to a famous verse of the Koran: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because the support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (next), refuse to share their beds, (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them means (of annoyance): for Allah is Most High, Great (above you all) (Koran 4.34) Islam is strongly implicated in the generally inferior and subordinate social position of women. Particularly among the rural and lower socioeconomic classes – largely illiterate – an ethos of patriarchy predicated of Islamic law, or the sharia, has long been standard custom and practice. Over the course...
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... or calculi, are formed in the urinary tract from the kidney to bladder by the crystallization of substances excreted in the urine 1. Urinary calculi are stones in urinary tract * a. Nephrolithiasis: stones form in kidneys * b. Urolithiasis: stones form in urinary tract outside kidneys 2. Highest incidence in * 3. Males more often affected than females (4:1) * 4. Most common in young and middle adults B. Risk factors * 1. Majority of stones are idiopathic (no demonstrable cause) * 2. Prior personal or family history of urinary calculi * 3. Dehydration: increased urine concentration * 4. Immobility * 5. Excess dietary intake of calcium, oxalate, protein * 6. Gout, hyperparathyroidism, urinary stasis, repeated UTI infection ETIOLOGY * METABOLIC * LIFESTYLE * GENETIC FACTORS * DRUGS * OTHERS RISK FACTORS * IMMOBILITY * SEDENTARY LIFE STYLE * DEHYDRATION * METABOLIC DISTURBANCES * HISTORY OF RENAL CALCULI RISK FACTORS * HIGH MINERAL CONTENT IN DRINKING WATER * DIETARY INTAKE * UTI & H/O FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION * PROLONGED INDWELLING CATHETERISATION * NEUROGENIC BLADDER Development and location of calculi within the urinary tract Pathophysiology 1. Factors leading to lithiasis include supersaturation (high concentration of insoluble salt in urine), pH of urine 2. Types of calculi a. Calcium stones (calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate) * 1. Associated...
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...a person’s actions a. Incidence pg. 215 b. Definitions c. Characteristics pg. 216 d. Types of Abuse/Violence pg. 217- emotional, physical, financial and sexual e. The Cycle of Violence- box 9.1 pg. 217; pg. 216-217 paragraph i. Phase 1- Tension building ii. Phase 2- Acute battering iii. Phase 3- Honeymoon f. Myths and Facts About Intimate Partner Violence- pg. 217-218; Table 9.1 pg. 218 g. Victims/Abuser Profiles pg. 217-218 h. How Intimate Partner Violence affects Pregnant Women pg.218-219 i. Nursing Care and Management (p. 220-225) j. Sexual Violence and Abuse pg. 225 iv. Terms- pt. 225 - sexual abuse, incest, rape, female genital mutilation, human trafficking v. Myths and Facts about Rape Table- ph. 227 Table 9.2 vi. Nursing Management and Teaching needed Chapter 10 2. Fetal Development k. Stages-pg. 238- preembryonic (fertilization through the second week) , embryonic (end of the second week through the eighth week), and fetal (end of eighth week until birth) l. Vocabulary m. Hormones-pg. 244 n. Fetal Circulation 3. Chromosomes o. Sex Determination p. Chromosomal Abnormalities vii. Autosomal dominant viii. Autosomal Recessive q. X-linked inherited disorders r. Numerical Abnormalities s. Structural Abnormalities t. Nursing Assessment and Genetic Counseling...
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...conflict. More recent developments in public international law, including the adoption of Security Council Resolutions 1325(2000) and 1820 (2008)focused on women, peace and security, have sought to increase the visibility of gender in situations of armed conflict( Amy Barrow, 2010). The International day for the elimination of violence against women is observed in November 25. Use of gender analysis tools, such as the African Gender Development Index (AGDI) developed by the African Centre for Gender and Development at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United Nations regional arm for Africa, is needed (www. acgd.uneca.org). The AGDI has been applied to Ethiopia, as it is a tool for measuring national data, but it would be useful to see its versatility and accuracy adapted for application in the society at large on gender based violence. The African Union (AU) also based in Addis Ababa- Ethiopia , through its peacekeeping and post-conflict reconciliation and reconstruction activities has also developed a body of knowledge, skills and tools in gender analysis and...
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...TITLE OF THE ESSAY : Child Labour : The Abuse of Girl Child * Siddharth Sharma (2ND YEAR B.A.LLB STUDENT AT NLIU, BHOPAL) TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 2. WHY A GIRL CHILD GETS MORE VICTIMIZED? 3. SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHILD LABOUR? 4. DO WE HAVE A SOLUTION? INTRODUCTION “Born to parents who themselves were uneducated child workers, many child worker are forced to continue a tradition that leaves them chained to a life of poverty” Child labour violates a nation’s minimum age laws, threatens children’s physical, mental, or emotional well-being, involves intolerable abuse, such as child slavery, child trafficking, debt bondage, forced labor, or illicit activities, prevents children from going to school and above all, uses children to undermine labor standards. In this regard The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act was enacted in 1986. The constitution of India also recognizes the right of children and safeguards their right to survival, protection and development. Article 14 of the constitution bestows right to equality. Article 15(3) empowers state to make special provision in favour of children. Article 23 prohibits traffic in human being. Article 14 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in any factory or mine or hazardous occupation. Article 39 prohibits abuse and exploitation. Article 45 provides compulsory education up to 14 years. India has recently finally left the company of seven other countries that still legally permit...
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...Introduction The concept of gender has become a debatable issue in the contemporary society and an important dimension in the design and analysis of social and economic development policies. These development concerns have brought about gender issues at the forefront of national and international agenda. During the 1990's, the gender issue continued to follow the historical trend by being one of the most popular themes of debates. The Human Development Report, (1995) posits that the number of women is greater than or equal to that of men, in today's society, yet females are still considered as a minority segment of the population. As a measure to redress gender inequalities, approaches by feminist movements, such as Women in Development (WID), were crafted but not much was achieved. Later, it was Women and Development (WAD) and lastly Gender and Development (GAD). It seems deep-rooted gender inequality still exists globally, despite substantial national and international measures that have been taken towards gender equality. This essay deliberates on the assertion that, “Gender equality is debatable: what is undebatable is the attempt to make it universally applicable.” The writer agrees to a greater extent that gender equality is a controversial issue basing on the multiplicity of societies that it is applied to. The fact that there is no universal culture, universal religion or universal ideology makes the whole issue arguable, ence, the need to degenderise gender...
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