Els Leye

Ghent University | UGhent · International Centre for Reproductive Health

In 2015, the international community agreed to end Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) by 2030. However, the target is unlikely to be met as changes in practice, including medicalized female genital mutilation/cutting (mFGM/C), challenge abandonment strategies. This paper critically reviews the current World Health Organization (WHO) definiti...

While within the Kisii community in Kenya the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC) is decreasing, the practice is increasingly being performed by health professionals. This study aims to analyse these changes by identifying mothers' motives to opt for medicalised FGC, and how this choice possibly relates to other changes in the practice. We c...

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful cultural practice that is predominantly documented in Africa, but also occurs in other parts of the world. Due to migration, women who have undergone FGM can also be found in the European Union (EU). Due to a lack of systematic representative surveys on the topic in EU, the prevalence of FGM...

Objectives The aim of the study was (I) to estimate the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and distribution of types of FGM/C among migrant girls and women in the Netherlands, and (II) to estimate the number of migrant girls at risk of being cut in the immediate future. Methods National population-based survey data regarding F...

Background: Despite numerous campaigns and interventions to end female genital mutilation (FGM), the practice persists across the world, including the European Union (EU). Previous interventions have focused mainly on awareness raising and legislation aimed at criminalizing the practice. Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of intervention...

Low socio-economic status has been consistently identified as a primary risk factor for sexual and reproductive health violations affecting young women. This study shows how poverty interacts with gender power relations to impact upon adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive lives in Western Uganda. Qualitative research with 147 participants was u...

Background: Although Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is internationally considered a harmful practice, it is increasingly being medicalized allegedly to reduce its negative health effects, and is thus suggested as a harm reduction strategy in response to these perceived health risks. In many countries where FGM/C is traditionally practic...

Background: Limited research has been conducted on the effectiveness of sexuality education for very young adolescents (VYAs) ages 10-14 years in Sub-Saharan Africa. Furthermore, evaluations of sexuality education programs often report outcomes of risky sexual practices, yet positive aspects of sexuality are hardly studied and rarely reported. Thi...

Background: We present findings of a process evaluation of a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) program for young adolescents in 15 schools in South-Western Uganda. Methods: Using the Medical Research Council (UK) framework for process evaluation and the European Expert Group guidance on evaluation of sexuality education programs, we conduc...

The successful implementation of sexuality education policy for young people has been shown to depend on a sound legislative and institutional framework. This article shows that both institutional factors and contextual obstacles have impeded the implementation of sexuality education policy in Uganda. Qualitative research techniques were employed i...

CONTEXT: Medicalization of female genital cutting (i.e., having the procedure done by a medical professional) has increased in Egypt in recent years. The relationship between a woman’s social position and the decision to use a trained health professional to perform genital cutting is not well understood. METHODS: Data from the 2005, 2008 and 2014 E...

While Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has been in existence for centuries, the rigorous and systematic documentation of the extent of the practice is a recent undertaking. This paper discusses data availability related to the practice of FGM and reviews the methods used to generate prevalence estimates. The aim is to illustrate strengths and limita...

With family reunification as one of the key routes to legally gain entry to the European Union, governments are introducing more stringent legislation to counter abuses such as forced marriages and marriages of convenience. This study explores Moroccan women’s views on partner choice, arranged and forced marriages to ascertain the impact of the mig...

Background: In most Sub-Saharan African countries, little is known about young adolescents' sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Though some efforts have been made to understand and improve SRH of older adolescents, very young adolescents (VYAs) are often overlooked, and little is known about their sexual knowledge and behaviors. The goal of this...

Background: Hymen reconstruction (HR) involves the restoration of the hymeneal membrane's gross anatomical integrity. Among the medical profession, hymen reconstruction receives particular attention and its necessity is debated because the surgery is not medically indicated, and often reveals conflicting social norms on virginity and marriageabili...

Background: For the last decades, the international community has emphasised the importance of a multisectoral approach to tackle female genital mutilation (FGM/C). While considerable improvement concerning legislations and community involvement is reported, little is known about the involvement of the health sector. Method: A mixed methods appr...

Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World Health Organization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especially among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeing in its broad sense-i.e., body image, self-esteem, and gender equi...

Unequal power and gender norms expose adolescent girls to higher risks of HIV, early marriages, pregnancies and coerced sex. In Uganda, almost half of the girls below the age of 18 are already married or pregnant, which poses a danger to the lives of young girls. This study explores the social construction of gender norms from early childhood, and...

Interactive multisectoral manual to insert FGM/C in academic training

Manual para insertar la MGF en la formación académica a estudiantes de medicina, enfermería, educación, trabajo social, estudios de género, comunicación, antropología, etc. Formato pdf, con capítulos sectoriales.

Background Migration flows of women from Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting practicing countries have generated a need for data on women potentially affected by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting. This paper presents enhanced estimates for foreign-born women and asylum seekers in Italy in 2016, with the aim of supporting resource planning and policy...

Proceedings of International of Ist International Conference of MAP-FGM project www.mapfgm.eu

Papers of 1st International Conference of MAP-FGM project on "Sociocultural and legal aspects of FGM/C: transnational experiences of prevention and protection". Held in Madrid on 3-4th February 2017. Headed by: Laura Nuno Gómez and Adriana Kaplan. Edited by: Magaly Thill.

Female genital cutting (FGC) is a major issue at the interplay of faith and health in development. The practice is in part faith-inspired, and has clear negative health impacts. The prevalence of FGC remains especially high in Egypt. This article reflects on some of the factors that lead to the perpetuation of the practice by analysing data from th...

Using mixed methods that combined participant observation and semi-structured in-depth interviews, this study looked at changing practices and shifting meanings of female genital cutting among the Maasai people in Tanzania. The findings suggest that an increasing social pressure to abandon female genital cutting has inspired the hiding of the pract...

Abstract Measures of sexual wellbeing and positive aspects of sexuality in the World Health Organization definition for sexual health are rarely studied and remain poorly understood, especially among adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to assess sexual wellbeing in its broad sense—i.e., body image, self-esteem, and ge...

Background: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the practice of partial or total removal of female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The procedure has no known health benefits but can cause serious immediate and long-term obstetric, gynaecological and sexual health problems. Health workers in Europe are often unaware of the consequences of FGM and...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK390809/

Objectives: Female genital mutilation (FGM) is becoming more widely seen in the West, due to immigration and population movement. Health services are being confronted with the need to provide care for women with FGM. One of the more recent trends is the provision of clitoral reconstruction. It remains unclear, however, what constitutes good practi...

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents is common worldwide, but our understanding of perpetration, gender differences and the role of social-ecological factors remains limited. Objectives: To explore the prevalence of physical and sexual IPV perpetration and victimisation by gender, and associated risk and protective facto...

Commentary on: Dawson A, Turkmani S, Fray S, et al. Evidence to inform education, training and supportive work environments for midwives involved in the care of women with female genital mutilation: a review of global experience. Midwifery 2015;31:229–38.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] FGM is a practice occurring in low and middle income coun...

Estimation of girls at risk of female genital mutilation in the European Union This report analyses current legal and policy frameworks in the EU Member States, existing approaches to national female genital mutilation (FGM) risk estimations in the EU and their methodological background. It presents quantitative and qualitative data analysis, inclu...

This volume explores a variety of 'harmful cultural practices': a term increasingly employed by organizations working within a human rights framework to refer to certain discriminatory practices against women in the global South. Drawing on recent work by feminists across the social sciences, as well as activists from around the world, this volume...

Despite the introduction of the new Family Law, or Moudawana, in Morocco, effectively raising the minimum age for marriage, the number of girls being forced into wedlock is rising. This increase has been a source of concern from a women's rights perspective. The present study explored women's experiences and perspectives in relation to factors that...

Forced marriage is of current international concern in Europe. As many cases involve a transnational component linked to migration, it is increasingly receiving attention at the government level. The serious consequences for women, including sexual violence, and the physical and psychological health risks associated with it, seem to receive little...

Objectives: The study aimed at identifying and analysing existing prevalence data on female genital mutilation in 28 EU countries and to provide recommendations for an improved estimation of prevalence of FGM. Methods: The study included secondary data collection using a systematic web-based search in all EU Member States to collect existing preva...

In Morocco, the social and legal framework surrounding sexual and reproductive health has transformed greatly in the past decade, especially with the introduction of the new Family Law or Moudawana. Yet, despite raising the minimum age of marriage for girls and stipulating equal rights in the family, child and forced marriage is widespread. The obj...

The hymen can be ruptured during sexual intercourse, but also in many different, non-sexual ways. In cultures where female virginity is highly valued, premarital defloration is a source of shame for both the girl and her family. Thus, these young women, including brides whose virginity cannot be demonstrated at their wedding, run the risk of public...

Understanding why people do not use family planning is critical to address unmet needs and to increase contraceptive use. According to the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2011, most women and men had knowledge on some family planning methods but only about 29% of married women were using contraceptives. 20% women had an unmet need for famil...

Background: Adolescents in Latin America are at high risk for unwanted and unplanned pregnancies, which often result in unsafe abortions or poor maternal health outcomes. Both young men and women in the region face an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections due to inadequate sexual and reproductive health information, services and counse...

The prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is reducing in almost all countries in which it is a traditional practice. There are huge variations between countries and communities though, ranging from no change at all to countries and communities where the practice has been more than halved from one generation to the next. Various intervention...

To estimate the number of women with female genital mutilation (FGM) living in Belgium, the number of girls at risk, and the target population of medical and social services (MSSs) concerned. Data about prevalence of FGM from the most recently published Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys were applied to females li...

Due to increasing migration, European countries and their health services are more and more confronted with female genital mutilation (FGM) and its medical consequences. Physicians have not only to deal with a pure medical issue, but also with a culturally sensitive topic which raises several legal and ethical questions. The lack of knowledge of FG...

To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to female genital mutilation (FGM) among gynaecologists in Flanders, Belgium. A questionnaire-based survey was sent to 724 Flemish gynaecologists and trainees. Three-hundred-and-thirty-four questionnaires were returned. The survey revealed gaps in the knowledge of FGM and the provision of...

This paper presents results of a survey on legislation regarding female genital mutilation in 15 European member states, as well as the results of a comparative analysis of the implementation of these laws in Belgium, France, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The research showed that although both criminal laws and child protection laws are implemented a n...

Asylum-seeking and refugee women (ASRW) are population groups characterized by diverse social, economic and legal backgrounds as well as diverse needs. Their backgrounds of forced migration have a profound impact on their overall health, including their sexual and reproductive health (SRH). In Europe, the SRH needs of ASRW are usually more pressing...

The increasing number of immigrants from African countries practicing female genital mutilation (FGM) has raised concern in Europe. Health care professionals have developed three main responses: (1) technical guidelines for clinical management; (2) codes of conduct on quality of care; and (3) specialised health services for medical and psychologica...

As part of a study on etiology of sexually transmitted infections (STI) among 520 women presenting at the STI clinic in Nairobi, data on partner violence and its correlates were analyzed. Prevalence of lifetime physical violence was 26%, mainly by an intimate partner (74%). HIV seropositive women had an almost twofold increase in lifetime partner v...

Asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs) are a heterogeneous population with distinct physical and psychological needs. ASRs with additional health needs are girls and women who have undergone, or are at risk of undergoing, female genital mutilation (FGM). Across the European Union (EU), variation exists in Member States' anti-FGM and asylum legislation,...

Female genital mutilation is a collective name for all traditional practices concerning the cutting of the female genitals. Approximately 130 million are genitally cut worldwide, more than 100 million live in Africa. Annually, 2 million girls are at risk of being circumcised. FGM is deeply rooted in culture, tradition, religion and the identity. He...

The number of immigrants in Europe from African communities affected by female genital mutilation (FGM) is unknown. Several European countries developed activities to combat FGM on four levels: European policy, health care, academic, and community. The European Network towards the Prevention of FGM has been set up to coordinate activities at all le...

Ponencia sobre experiencias y aproximación metodológica en multiculruralismo y derechos humanos. Human Rights and integration: and appraisal from Europe. Conference on Human Rigths Research Centres and Institutes. December 2-3, 2010. Institut de Drets Humans. Universitat de València.Duración: 25M