Transnational Observatory of Applied Research: New Strategies for the Prevention and Attention of Female Genital Mutilation
| University | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) |
|---|---|
| Centre/Department/Research group | Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology (Research Group for the Study and Prevention of Harmful Traditional Practices).
Wassu-UAB Foundation |
| Research title | Transnational Observatory of Applied Research: New Strategies for the Prevention and Attention of Female Genital Mutilation |
| Scientific area | Medical Anthropology / Health Anthropology |
| Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls SDG 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies |
| Target(s) to which it contributes | 3.1. By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births. 3.2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. 3.3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. 4.3. By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university. 4.7. By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. 5.1. End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. 5.3. Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. 5.5. Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decisionmaking in political, economic and public life. 5.6. Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. 5.c. Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels. 16.1. Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. 16.2. End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. |
| Further information | http://www.mgf.uab.es |
With the commitment to contribute to the creation of a world in equal rights, the Transnational Observatory of Applied Research: New Strategies for the Prevention and Attention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), proposes a pioneering, culturally respectful, innovative and sustainable methodology based on 30 years of research work and on results-oriented scientific evidence. It is a research project led by Dr Adriana Kaplan (Chair of Knowledge Transfer at UAB) and started in 1987 as a line of transnational and longitudinal research between Gambia and Spain, following the migrations of sub-Saharan Africans to Spain with a transverse anthropological look.
Progressively and with a gender perspective, the approach targets women’s health, their sexual and reproductive rights and the study of FGM in the countries of origin (Gambia, Senegal and Guinea-Bissau) as in those of destiny (Spain). Fieldwork since 1989 allows integration into Gambian communities and understanding the profound significance of FGM, developing an effective and sustainable strategy that promotes the abandonment of practice taking into account the symbolic nuances and their Implications in ethnic and gender construction of African women.
The methodological model for the prevention and care of FGM has reached 14,000 beneficiaries between 2010 and 2018. With this model, knowledge is transferred to key social agents through awareness raising, empowerment (governmental and non-governmental institutions, public policy makers, primary care professionals in health, social services and education, lawyers and magistrates, health science students and social sciences, community and religious leaders, circumcisers, men, women and young people) so that they themselves can transfer knowledge to society while promoting preventive actions and empowerment to avoid MGF. It is a circular approach that takes advantage of the synergies that originate with migratory movements, where the actions initiated at origin (Gambia) revert to destination (Spain) and vice versa, and it is implemented in close collaboration with government agents in the country.
This strategy aligns with local policies and strategic plans, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4, 5 and 16, reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, promoting the empowerment of women and of gender equality.
