Using Ethnographic Participatory Action Research to Decrease the Incidence of Female Genital Mutilation in Nigeria

Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) is a harmful practice on girls and women which causes irreparable sexual, reproductive and psychological harm. It is an act of violence, extreme discrimination and fundamental human rights violation against women and girls. This practice leaves victims feeling scared, psychologically scarred and distressed. FGM sustains deep rooted inequality between the sexes, constitutes a barrier to female civic participation and social inclusion and therefore, leads to inequitable socio- economic growth and prosperity. The World Health Organization(WHO) estimates that an alarming 200 million girls alive today have undergone FGM, while an estimated 3 million girls are at risk annually. A common factor influencing the continuation of FGM is the need to conform to social norms. Social norms among other roles, influence behaviors that shape people's ability to protect their health and achieve their life potential.

Methods: The investigators have designed a quasi-experimental comparison group pre-post test study involving members of Oduma, Okigwe, Nkerefi, Edda communities in Eastern Nigeria. Our study will run for a period of 12 months. The investigators expect that the outcome of this study will lead to policy changes placing emphasis on using participatory action research in addressing FGM in Nigeria.

FGM is a harmful practice on girls and women which causes irreparable sexual, reproductive and psychological harm. It is an act of violence, extreme discrimination and fundamental human rights violation against women and girls. This practice leaves victims feeling scared, psychologically scarred and distressed. FGM sustains deep rooted inequality between the sexes, constitutes a barrier to female civic participation and social inclusion and therefore, leads to inequitable socio- economic growth and prosperity. The WHO estimates that an alarming 200 million girls alive today have undergone FGM, while an estimated 3 million girls are at risk annually. A common factor influencing the continuation of FGM is the need to conform to social norms. Social norms among other roles, influence behaviors that shape people's ability to protect their health and achieve their life potential.

Methods: The investigators have designed a quasi-experimental comparison group pre-post test study involving members of Oduma community in Ebonyi state. This research study will run for a period of 12 months. The investigators expect that the outcome of this study will lead to policy changes placing emphasis on using participatory action research in addressing FGM in Nigeria

Rationale There is a considerable lack of information on the efficacy of interventions to reduce the prevalence of FGM in Nigeria. In addition, this research study is needed to provide critical updated information on the efficacy of participatory action research in improving communities knowledge and attitude towards SHRH and how this affects the prevalence of FGM.

Objectives:

To determine the efficacy of e- PAR in reducing the incidence of FGM in Nigeria.

To determine the efficacy of e-PAR in improving Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights(SRHR) knowledge.

To determine the efficacy of e-PAR in improving Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) attitudes.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Consenting Participants living in the intervention communities.
* Consenting community health workers working in the intervention communities.
* Consenting patent medicine sellers working in the intervention communities.

Exclusion Criteria:

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