Cairo – Following the onset of the devastating war in Sudan in April 2023, over a million people have fled to neighboring Egypt seeking refuge.
Despite both countries having laws against female genital mutilation (FGM), Sudan and Egypt continue to report some of the highest global rates of this practice.
A timely new study, Female Genital Mutilation Amongst Sudanese Migrants in Greater Cairo: Perceptions and Trends, conducted by Equality Now (www.EqualityNow.org) and Tadwein for Gender Studies, provides critical insights into how migration and exposure to diverse cultural landscapes affect FGM practices among Sudanese families in Egypt.
In-depth interviews revealed a positive shift towards abandoning FGM. Younger, educated individuals, as well as women who have personally experienced the harms of FGM, emerged as strong advocates against its continuation. Men often cited the adverse effects of FGM on marital intimacy as a key reason for its discontinuation.
However, some individuals view FGM as an important aspect of cultural identity and social standing, considering it essential for societal acceptance. Many interviewees believed that families in Sudan practicing FGM would likely continue the tradition in Egypt.
Dr. Dima Dabbous from Equality Now commented: “Our study illustrates the complex and varied ways Sudanese migrants in Egypt are upholding, modifying, or rejecting long-standing cultural practices such as FGM.
“Migration presents both challenges and opportunities for abandoning harmful customs, and understanding community perceptions and responses to their new environment is essential for developing effective, culturally sensitive interventions.”
FGM in Sudan and Egypt
FGM is globally recognized as a serious human rights violation, involving the partial or total removal of, or injury to, external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
Present in at least 94 countries (apo-opa.co/44vsny1) and affecting over 230 million women and girls (apo-opa.co/44vsny1) – including 144 million in Africa – FGM has no health benefits and is rooted in gender discrimination aimed at controlling the bodies and sexuality of women and girls.
According to Sudan’s 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the most recent national survey, 86.6% of women aged 15 to 49 have experienced FGM (apo-opa.co/3YFNCJL), with the percentage dropping to 66.3% for girls aged birth to 14.
FGM is often viewed as a means to preserve family honor and reinforce concepts of purity, modesty, and control over female sexuality.
As a rite of passage into womanhood and a prerequisite for marriage, many families fear that uncut daughters may face challenges in finding husbands, creating significant pressure, compounded by the stigma surrounding unmarried women and the perceived disgrace it brings to the family.
Religious misconceptions also heavily influence the practice, with many wrongly believing that specific kinds of FGM are mandated by Islam.
In Egypt, around 86% of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM (apo-opa.co/43igE3L), as reported by the 2022 Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS).
Women in both Egypt and Sudan frequently experience pressure to adhere to traditional practices upheld by their families and communities. Without support from partners or social networks, opposing these traditions can be exceedingly difficult.
Women who are more educated and wealthier are generally more likely to reject FGM and opt not to subject their daughters to it.
A notable trend towards medicalization has been observed in Sudan.
This shift is even more evident in Egypt, where an estimated 74% of FGM procedures are performed by healthcare professionals — one of the highest rates globally. This medicalization is mistakenly perceived as a safer alternative, yet it does not eliminate the physical and psychological risks associated with FGM.
FGM remains a significant violation of human rights, and the involvement of medical professionals does not make the practice safe, ethical, or legal.
Egypt enforces strict laws against FGM, including severe penalties for parents and practitioners, with harsher sentences for medical personnel.
Even assisting a victim in undergoing FGM results in criminal sanctions. However, enforcement is sporadic, as many still favor FGM and are unwilling to see family members prosecuted, leading to underreporting of cases to authorities.
Continuation or Abandonment of FGM
Knowledge regarding anti-FGM laws in Sudan and Egypt varied significantly among study participants.
The belief that Egypt has strict anti-FGM laws has fostered a cautious attitude, with some fearing legal consequences, including deportation.
Although older generations are generally more informed, they often struggle to articulate specific legal penalties.
In Sudan, elderly women typically make decisions regarding FGM and are generally supportive of its continuation.
Nevertheless, having some older family members remain in Sudan has alleviated the pressure on Sudanese girls in Egypt to undergo FGM.
Many participants indicated that Egyptians often hold negative perceptions of Sudanese migrants, which has led to fragile relationships.
This dynamic has contributed to a reluctance among Sudanese families to seek information about FGM from Egyptian sources or to request doctors in Egypt to perform the procedure. Interviewees suggested this could potentially facilitate the abandonment of the practice.
Economic hardships and the pressing need to provide basic necessities such as food and shelter have also contributed to the postponement or discontinuation of FGM.
Dr. Amal Fahmy from Tadwein for Gender Studies remarked: “We observe a quiet yet powerful shift away from FGM.
“Women are increasingly taking the lead in protecting their daughters, often prioritizing food, shelter, and education over cultural traditions.”
However, there are financial incentives that can perpetuate FGM.
Some view it as a way to enhance their daughters’ marriage prospects and secure their financial futures, while traditional midwives facing economic necessity pose a risk of continued FGM practices.
The migration of Sudanese families to Egypt has led to the establishment of a close-knit social network known as “Small Sudan.”
While most survey participants opposed the continuation of FGM, some acknowledged that certain families remain deeply attached to customs, including FGM.
Older women particularly expressed skepticism regarding the law’s deterrent effects, believing determined families would find ways to circumvent restrictions.
Concerns about stigma and fears about their daughters’ sexual behavior were cited as reasons for the maintenance of FGM.
Some view it as a method of controlling sexual conduct, especially after relocating to Egypt, where there are fears that uncut daughters may engage in behavior considered unacceptable.
Recommendations
Key recommendations include enhancing awareness among Sudanese migrant communities about Egypt’s anti-FGM laws and the associated negative legal and health implications.
Empowering parents, particularly mothers, with accurate information and practical tools to resist societal and familial pressures is crucial.
Engaging respected figures within the “Small Sudan” community – such as elders, grandmothers, midwives, and faith leaders – is vital for changing attitudes.
Outreach initiatives should dispel misconceptions that FGM is a religious obligation, and advocacy should promote understanding from a human rights perspective that addresses the gender inequalities perpetuating FGM.
Ending FGM among Sudanese migrant families requires a holistic, community-focused approach that addresses both the underlying causes and evolving dynamics of the practice post-migration.
Investing in further research – particularly longitudinal and community-based studies – will help track changing attitudes and practices over time, thereby informing more effective, targeted interventions.
