American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
April 2015; 92 (4)
http://www.ajtmh.org/content/current

Geographic Variation of Female Genital Mutilation and Legal Enforcement in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Senegal
Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala* and Paul N. Komba
Author Affiliations
Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom; Populations, Evidence and Technologies Group, Warwick Evidence, Coventry, United Kingdom; Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; Wolfson College, Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
Author Notes
Authors’ addresses: Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Division of Health Sciences, University of Warwick Medical School, Coventry, UK, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, E-mail: N-B.Kandala@warwick.ac.uk. Paul N. Komba, Wolfson College, Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK, E-mail: pk261@cam.ac.uk.
Address correspondence to Ngianga-Bakwin Kandala, Division of Health Sciences, University of Warwick Medical School, Medical School Building, Gibbet Hill Campus, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom. E-mail: N-B.Kandala@warwick.ac.uk
Abstract.
This paper draws on household data to examine the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Senegal and the effectiveness of the country’s anti-FGM law in dealing with actual breaches and providing protection to the victims. The 2010–2011 Senegal Demographic Health Survey and Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (SDHS-MICS) covers 14,228 women and their daughters. Logistic regression was used to investigate the geographic distribution of FGM across regions. For the enforceability of anti-FGM, desk research was used. Overall prevalence among women and daughters was 28.1% and 6.2%, respectively. Significant factors were sociodemographics, ethnicity, and region. This analysis shows both advantages and vulnerabilities of the anti-FGM law in relation to the issue of enforcement. It indicates that the law falls short of offering adequate protection to potential victims. FGM is a cultural and social norm imbedded predominantly in rural settings and as such, drives resistance to jettisoning FGM. Legislation has been one of the driving forces behind the eradication of the practice.