| Abstract: |
Special Series on Social Norms and Harmful Practices<br /><br /> This paper
examines the experience of Sudan by analysing the factors that promote and
support the abandonment of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and other
harmful social practices. Despite the fact that FGM/C is still widely
practiced in all regions of northern Sudan, women’s intention to circumcise
their daughters has decreased significantly during the last 16 years.
Attitudes are changing and today, actors are mobilizing across the country to
end the practice. This paper examines these changes. It analyses programmes
that support ending FGM/C in Sudan and highlights the key factors that promote
collective abandonment of the practice, including the roles of community
dialogue, human rights deliberation, community-led activities, and the
powerful force of local rewards and punishment. <br /><br /> The Sudan
experience demonstrates that social norms can change when a new understanding
and appreciation of communities’ traditions and values is introduced. At
policy level, the paper describes the adoption of laws and policies that
prohibit or criminalize all forms of FGM/C and the introduction of integrated
communication campaigns that have mobilized multiple actors to adopt and voice
a consistent and clear stance against FGM/C. The paper explains how those
factors have created an enabling environment that promotes the abandonment of
harmful practices as well as the fulfilment of women’s and children’s
rights more broadly. The process of changing harmful social norms and
practices is complex and involves the interplay of many different forces.
However, the Sudan experience demonstrates that a major shift can occur at
community level and widespread abandonment of FGM/C can be envisioned.<br
/><br /> |