An Investigation into Internal and External Conflicts in relation to the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, and possible strategies for social convention shifts

Abstract

The purpose of the research presented is to investigate internal and external conflicts in relation to the traditional practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). The research also proposes to investigate possible tools that could create an environment to produce shifts in the perceptions that FGM/C is a social norm. In this paper the author proposes to use a mixed method approach using secondary qualitative and quantitative data and ethnographic methodology to attempt to gain an understanding of the implications and interpret the data from the analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data. Using the above methods this thesis will analyse the origins of FGM/C and its incidence in African countries. It will assess theoretical studies and the reasons for its continued endurance. This thesis will concentrate on the conflicts surrounding the practice which were observed. The conflicts surrounding the practice were observed after diaspora movements, from Somalia to the United Kingdom.