Important lessons on FGM/C abandonment from four research studies in Egypt

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) continues to be a widespread practice in Egypt. According to the 2014 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey, the prevalence of FGM/C was 92 percent among ever-married women aged 15–49. However, Egypt continues to witness a drastic surge in the medicalization of FGM/C, with 74 percent of women aged 19 years and younger circumcised by medical practitioners, compared to 55 percent in 1995. This policy brief provides key results and recommendations of four studies conducted by the Population Council/ Egypt under the Evidence to End FGM/C project, in coordination with Egypt’s National Population Council. The four studies investigated the process through which families reach a decision on FGM/C; study the impact of FGM/C campaigns on the perspectives surrounding the practice; examine the characteristics of abandoners and challenges they face in maintaining their position; and understand the drivers of the medicalization of the practice. The ultimate goal of the studies, conducted between 2016 and 2019, is to assist the National Taskforce for Ending Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision in developing evidence-based policies and programs to accelerate the abandonment of FGM/C

Understanding female genital mutilation/cutting abandonment in Egypt

Although the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Egypt among married women aged 15–49 years is high (92 percent), in the most recent (2014) Demographic and Health Survey, prevalence rates appear to be declining among younger cohorts of girls and women. Support for the discontinuation of the practice is more widespread in younger generations, among females, and among those living in urban areas. Variations in attitudes toward FGM/C by education level and wealth status are also documented. While numerous studies have examined the reasons why people practice FGM/C, few studies have examined the characteristics of the individuals who have abandoned the practice. In this study, we sought to examine the characteristics of abandoners and explore the geographic patterns of FGM/C abandonment; explore benefits gained and challenges faced by abandoners within their families/communities; and understand how families and individuals overcome social sanctions and mitigate against the risk of relapse

Photomechanical and Photochromic Behavior of a Molecule Containing Multiple Photoactive Groups

Photomechanical and photochromic activities are reported for single crystals of a new multirespon-sive material, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-((E)-((4-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)phenol (Azim-1), with two photoactive groups that can undergo photoisomerization (azo and imine), and an ortho-hydroxy group that is capable of proton transfer. Upon irradiation with UV light, platy and needle-shaped crystals of Azim-1 rapidly bend towards the light source and return to their initial shape as soon as the irradiation is terminated. Upon prolonged exposure to UV light, the crystals change their color from yellow to red. The crystal structure of non-irradiated Azim-1 is reported, and the mecha-nisms of the photomechanical and photochromic responses are discussed

Mundane work and birthdays

A day in my life, a Multimedia Journalism graduating senior at the American University in Cairo, taking a little break from university work and slowing it down

Webinar: Understanding the What, Where and Why the Practice of FGM/C continues

Population Council has successfully led the Evidence to End FGM/C: Research to Help Girls and Women Thrive consortium—a UKAID-funded research program to help end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) within one generation. The programme conducted high quality research across eight countries in Africa with significant country, regional and global relevance for the last five years 2015–2020. This is part two of a two-part webinar series intended for practitioners, researchers, donors and implementers and covering a range of evidence and implications on topics such as medicalization, laws, social norms, variations of the practice, and prospects for abandonment. Both webinars marked the end of a five-year program intended to expand the body of evidence on the most effective and cost-effective approaches to ending FGM/C in different contexts. This webinar, Understanding the What, Where and Why the Practice of FGM/C continues, aired live on May 22, 2020