The lived experience of female genital cutting (FGC) in Somali-Canadian women’s daily lives

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206886
• Publication Date: 2018-11-06T18:38:59Z
• Authors: Danielle Jacobson; Emily Glazer; Robin Mason; Deanna Duplessis; Kimberly Blom; Janice Du Mont; Navmeet Jassal; Gillian Einstein
• Keywords: Somali; Female circumcision; Women's Lives

Many of the Somali women who have immigrated to other countries, including Canada, experienced Female Genital Circumcision/ Mutilation/ Cutting (FGC). While there is literature on medical aspects FGC, we were interested in understanding daily life experiences and bodily sensations Somali-Canadian context FGC. Fourteen living Greater Toronto Area interviewed. Interview data analyzed using a phenomenological approach. We found that memory ceremonial cutting was vivid but frequently described with acceptance resignation–as something just is; normal given particular context, familial cultural, their young age. Most recounted experiencing pain discomfort throughout adult lives intent not noticing or giving any power; they considered themselves healthy. The following themes emerged from our interviews: Every Body Had It: Discussing I'm Normal Aren't I?, Feeling My Body–all work at normalizing bodies society know views them as different. They dealt both pleasure busy suggesting resilience spite day-to-day difficulties life.