Listening to African Voices - FPZ

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Table 34: Socio-demographic characteristics of interviewed immigrants from Burkina FasoSocio-demographicvariableswomen(n = 9)men(n = 66)total sample(n = 75)Age (in years)Mean (standard deviation) 33.3 (7.0) 35.5 (5.7) 35.2 (5.9)Range 24-44 20-51 20-51Average education level (in years)Mean (standard deviation) 13.7 (4.4) 10.1 (5.0) 10.57 (5.1)Range 6-18 0-25 0-25ReligionMuslim 5 (55.6%) 52 (80.0%) 57 (77.0%)Christian 4 (44.4%) 12 (18.5%) 16 (21.6%)Traditional religion 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.5%) 0 (0.0%)None believers 0 (0.0%) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.4%)Social statusMarried (monogamous) 4 (44.4%) 21 (31.8%) 25 (33.3%)Married (polygamous) 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.5%) 1 (1.3%)Separated/divorced/widowed 2 (22.2%) 8 (12.1%) 10 (13.3%)Never been married 22 3 (33.3%) 36 (54.5%) 39 (52.0%)Migrated from a(n)Urban area 8 (88.9%) 53 (81.5%) 61 (82.4%)Rural area 1 (11.1%) 12 (18.5%) 13 (17.6%)Residence statusUnbefristet (indefinite residence permission) 3 (37.5%) 12 (18.2%) 15 (20.3%)Befristet (temporary residence permission) 2 (25.0%) 19 (28.8%) 21 (28.4%)Duldung (toleration) 1 (12.5%) 21 (31.8%) 22 (29.7%)Others/no papers/does not answer 2 (25.0%) 14 (19.7%) 15 (20.4%)German nationality 0 (0.0%) 1 (1.5%) 1 (1.4%)Time spent in Germany (in months)Mean (standard deviation) 67.7 (49.5) 77.0 (53.8) 75.8 (53.0)Range 12-131 1-252 1-252after it happened. But I am against the practice; theyare removing an important organ.” (father of Burkinabeorigin)The other parents were asked if they had the intention ofsubjecting their daughters to FGM/C in the future. Out of 29parents 26 answered in the negative while one participantabstained from answering the question and two participantsdeclared themselves to be uncertain. The discussions withthe three parents who had provided vague answers showedthat none of their daughters was at risk.5.5.10.4. Perceptions related to the practiceFor the greater part of the interviewed participants of Burkinabeorigin FGM/C is perceived as an advantageous practice(67%). Around 30% of them see as benefits the socialacceptance of the girl and the diminution of the sexual desireof the woman. Better marriage prospects, religious approvaland cleanliness were further benefits brought up.“Female circumcision is a good thing for the womanbecause it makes her clean. I don’t see any inconveniencein it. I saw it happening in my family and no one had anyproblems with that. I think that people are just using theissue to make politics.” (man of Burkinabe origin)Some participants don’t bring up concrete benefits but havea positive perception of FGM/C or affirm that the practiceshould not be treated as an issue while the Burkinabe communityis struggling with their residence status in Germany:“There is no problem with female circumcision. TheGermans should give us work permits; that is what isimportant.” (man of Burkinabe origin)Listening to African Voices 69
“Female circumcision is and will remain a good thing forwomen. This is another reason why I should leave thiscountry as quickly as possible.” (man of Burkinabe origin)About 30% of the participants do not see any benefit inFGM/C and spoke in favour of its abolition.“I am totally against the practice. There are no positiveoutcomes. The practitioners are to be blamed.” (man ofBurkinabe origin)“This practice is not good; and it would be a good thingto see it stop. It would be good to give practitioners analternative.” (man of Burkinabe origin)5.5.10.5. FGM/C and religionAmong the interviewed Muslims (57 persons), 15 men and 1women believed that FGM/C was a practice associated withIslam. None of the Christians interviewed saw a link betweenFGM/C and their religion.5.5.10.6. Perception of disadvantages and knowledge ofrisks and consequencesOver 70% of the interviewees had a certain degree ofawareness of the harm of FGM/C and could specify at leastone negative outcome of the practice. The most commonlycited hazards were difficulties during childbirth and sexualdisorders for the women.5.5.10.7. Knowledge of German law and attitudes towardsthe abandonment of FGM/CMore than half of the interviewed Burkinabe (39 of 75 participants)are aware that the German law prosecutes FGM/C.Another significant proportion (25 participants) expresseduncertainty about the position taken by the German legalsystem on the subject. A few participants (four men) assertedthat FGM/C is not specifically mentioned in German law.The impact of FGM/C being punishable by law in Germanyhas a strong dissuasive effect on parents in favour of FGM/C.“A woman who is not circumcised has no respect for otherpeople, she is impertinent, frivolous and can’t controlherself when approached by men. Nevertheless, for mydaughters, I had to decide against the practice. They areborn here and the Germans don’t joke with their laws.”(man of Burkinabe origin, father of three daughters)Regarding the abandonment of FGM/C, the greater partof the participants confirmed their wish to see the practiceabolished. There were, however, eight men advocating forthe continuation of the practice and 12 participants whowere undecided regarding the continuation of FGM/C.Worried about the sexual behaviour of the young girls, somepeople prefer to consider modifying the way the practice isdone than abolishing it.“If the practice is dangerous, then I suggest to medicaliseit, to hand it over to health professionals so it can becarried out in good conditions and at the same time, we’llhave fewer girls on the streets.” (man of Burkinabe origin)5.5.11. Guinea5.5.11.1. Socio-demographic profileThere are 178 registered immigrants of Guinean originin Hamburg with more than twice as many men (122) aswomen (56). With two Guinean researchers in the team,we managed to reach a significant number: 77 men and38 women. We excluded one man from the data analysisfor whom the researcher noted that “he looks too afraid toanswer and rejects all questions.” With one participant fewer,the total sample added up to 114 persons.Most of the interviewed participants were either housewives,job seekers or employed in low-wage work. The level ofeducation was low relative to the other countries. All interviewedparticipants of Guinean origin were Muslims. Theresearchers saw themselves often confronted with total lackof interest, reticence or harsh reactions to the research topic,in particular from men.“I believe that you [speaking to the researcher] shouldget busy with something different because that issue is ofno importance. The residence status is what counts andthe Germans should give it to us. This is important andnot female circumcision or the African culture in Germany.”(man of Guinean origin)“My problems are my papers and not this stupid set ofquestions that you are asking.” (man of Guinean origin)5.5.11.2. Proportion of immigrant population concernedGuinea has one of the highest FGM/C prevalence ratesin Africa. According to the last DHS, 96% of the Guineanfemale population have undergone FGM/C. The prevalencefor the cohort of daughters is barely lower at 94%. FGM/Cis practiced across all ethnic groups and is almost universal(99%) in the biggest ethnic groups, the Soussou, Malinkeand Fula. The only ethnic group with a lower prevalence rate(68%) are the Guerze of the Forest region (DNS Guinea &ORC Macro 2006).70Listening to African Voices
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Cover photo: Plan/Alf Berg - “Gir
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Within the cohort of daughters of t
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• To explore the level of awarene
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12Listening to African Voices
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• Many of them are struggling to
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1 The interviewers approached diver
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Page 25 and 26: 4.7. FGM/C in Germany4.7.1. Estimat
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Page 31 and 32: The largest proportions of intervie
Page 33 and 34: Reactions to the research topicThe
Page 35 and 36: A small proportion of parents annou
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Page 39 and 40: In order to determine the proportio
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Page 45 and 46: gin of the immigrants (see map in a
Page 47 and 48: of the Muslims believe that practic
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Page 67 and 68: It was not an easy task to get the
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Page 73 and 74: Table 36: Proportion of women and m
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Page 77 and 78: that FGM/C had been carried out in
Page 79 and 80: 5.7.1. Protective factorsThe findin
Page 81 and 82: 5.7.2.4. Low awareness and indiffer
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Page 89 and 90: and an acceptable job, uniting the
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Page 99 and 100: BEHAVIOR CHANGE MODEL: Abolition of
Page 101 and 102: Institut National de la Statistique
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Page 107 and 108: Evaluation of girls at riskQ214 CHE
Page 109 and 110: 8.6. Questionnaire for quantitative
Page 111 and 112: Evaluation of girls at riskQ214 CHE
Page 113 and 114: 8.7. Map of the geographical spread
Page 115 and 116: 8.9. Map of the geographical spread
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