Female circumcision practices: a case of the Gogo of Mpwapwa district, Dodoma region Tanzania
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Date
2014
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study examined persistence of female circumcision among the Gogo from a socio-cultural context. The study was prompted by the fact that despite efforts to curb female circumcision, the practice still persists among the Gogo. The study adopted the qualitative research approach to suit the theoretical underpinning of the study, a social constructivism paradigm whereby one of its major arguments is that human beings generate meanings about the world as they interact with the world. Methods of data collection included IDIs, FGDs, Field Observation and Documentary Review. The findings from this study showed that the Gogo retains some socio-cultural constructed norms, values and beliefs that lead to persistence of the practice. Findings also revealed that the Gogo did not approve methods used to deliver anti-FC intervention messages. To them, the methods were culturally unacceptable. The study identified mismatch of discourses between the anti-FC activists and the Gogo which was shown to be one of the reasons that not much has been achieved in the fight against FC. Gendered power relations were also found to be among factors that perpetuate female circumcision practices in the said ethnic group. The study concludes that the Gogo are still strongly believe in their socially constructed norms, values and beliefs and FC is part of and parcel of the cultural practices. Hence, the study recommends the need for anti-FC intervention campaigners to explore and understand persistence of FC within the socio-cultural milieu of the circumcising societies. In due regard, social mechanisms sustaining the said practice need to be studied and taken on board in designing meaningful intervention mechanisms aimed at ending FC practice.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF GN484.T34B56)
Keywords
Female circumcision, Gogo (African people), Mpwapwa district, Dodoma region, Tanzania
Citation
Bingi, M. D (2014) Female circumcision practices: a case of the Gogo of Mpwapwa district, Dodoma region Tanzania, Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.