Résumé :
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The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates three million girls each year are at risk of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). In England and Wales 70,000 girls are thought to be at risk, although it has been illegal since 1985 (United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) 2016,Hodes & Beale 2017). In many African countries FGM/C is a deeply entrenched cultural practice (UNICEF 2016,Nabaneh et al 2019,WHO 2020). The reasons why FGM/C is performed varies from region to region and over time and includes a mix of sociocultural factors within families and communities (UNICEF 2016,WHO 2020). In most societies, where FGM/C is practised, it is considered a cultural tradition, which is often used as an argument for its continuation (WHO 2020). Educating individuals about FGM/C and the associated risks is important to eradicate this practice. One of the key factors is the influence of men in the continued practice of FGM/C and the value of targeting men in the fight to eradicate this practice. The focus on women in the fight to eradicate FGM/C has been high on the political agenda for many years (UNICEF 2016,Nabaneh et al 2019,WHO 2020). However, the involvement of men in eradicating FGM/C should also be a key strategy in the United Kingdom (UK). This paper discusses the influence of men on FGM/C and the importance of understanding the cultural beliefs that underpin this practice when educating men in the UK who come from countries where FGM/C is prevalent.
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