Female genital mutilation/cutting in Mali and Mauritania: understanding trends and evaluating policies

Cetorelli, Valeria ORCID: 0000-0002-7310-6557, Wilson, Ben ORCID: 0000-0003-4274-617X, Batyra, Ewa and Coast, Ernestina ORCID: 0000-0002-8703-307X (2019) Female genital mutilation/cutting in Mali and Mauritania: understanding trends and evaluating policies. Studies in Family Planning, 51 (1). 51 - 69. ISSN 0039-3665

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Abstract

Despite international commitments to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), very little is known about the effectiveness of national policies in contributing to the abandonment of this harmful practice. To help address this gap in knowledge, we apply a quasi-experimental research design to study two west African countries, Mali and Mauritania. These countries have marked similarities with respect to practices of FGM/C, but differing legal contexts. A law banning FGM/C was introduced in Mauritania in 2005; in Mali, there is no legal ban on FGM/C. We use nationally representative survey data to reconstruct trends in FGM/C prevalence in both countries, from 1997 to 2011, and then use a difference-in-difference method to evaluate the impact of the 2005 law in Mauritania. FGM/C prevalence in Mauritania began to decline slowly for girls born in the early 2000s, with the decline accelerating for girls born after 2005. However, a similar trend is observable in Mali, where no equivalent law has been passed. Additional statistical analysis confirms that the 2005 law did not have a significant impact on reducing FGM/C prevalence in Mauritania. These findings suggest that legal change alone is insufficient for behavioral change with regard to FGM/C. This study demonstrates how it is possible to evaluate national policies using readily available survey data in resource-poor settings.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17284465
Additional Information:	© 2020 The Population Council, Inc.
Divisions:	International Development
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HQ The family. Marriage. Woman H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2019 09:27
Last Modified:	06 Oct 2025 22:15
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/101553

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