Sahiyo Communication Guide

Health Approach
Often, as activists, we focus on pointing out the negative consequences
of FGC - particularly the negative health consequences. We believe this
is sufficient to motivate people to act against FGC.
But is it really sufficient?
During the 1960s and ’70s, women’s groups in many African nations held
awareness campaigns about the harmful effects of FGC. Moreover, doctors
in Nigeria, Sudan and Somalia began reporting in medical journals about the
harmful consequences of FGC, thus beginning intervention strategies to end
FGC using a health approach.
This approach discusses medical complications (such as severe pain and
bleeding, chronic infections, infertility, pregnancy problems, and pain during
sexual intercourse) as a persuasion tactic against FGC. The approach is
based on the belief that all communities recognize the wish for good health.
Many consider it an important approach for communities that believe FGC
has medical benefits.
But campaigns using the health approach come with their own challenges:
11