Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: A qualitative assessment of women’s perspectives and experience of female genital 
mutilation in Iraqi Kurdistan Region  
 
Version: 0 Date: 01 Jan 2019  
 
Reviewer: Jones Adjei  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
In this well -written study, "A qualitative assessment of women's perspectives and experience of 
female genital mutilation in Iraqi Kurd istan Region" the authors explore the issue of female 
genital mutilation (FGM) in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where the practice is found to be 
common.  
The authors address an important issue that significantly affects the health of women in several 
deve loping countries. However, there are some areas which need clarification or where changes 
are needed to improve on the quality of the manuscript.  
 
Comments:  
Table 1 describing the socio -demographic characteristics of the study respondents should be 
presen ted in the form of a cross -tabulation so that easily see the attributes that are associated with 
the experience of FGM. For example, what percent of the 18 -29 year olds have been mutilated 
compared with 45 years and over? This information will be helpful i n thinking about possible 
targeted interventions.  
The presentation of the findings seem as though the study used an individual in -depth interview 
and not focus group. There is almost no discussion about group consensus about the major 
themes that emerged from the discussions. For instance, what proportion  of the participants 
indicated that they have not heard about FGM? Given that almost 57% indicated that they have 
personally experienced FGM, it will be interesting to know how the discussion question was 
phrased and whether it was well understood by the p articipants.  
As an issue that affects only women but are largely perpetuated by women themselves, as the 
authors noted, it will be interesting to discuss how the concept of internalized oppression plays 
within the context of this discourse, and how this c an be overcome within the context of the 
study area.  
  
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to  the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financi ally from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organiz ation that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of th e above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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