Mother to daughter transmission of Female Genital Cutting in Egypt, Burkina Faso and Senegal

Abstract

The aim of article is to assess the determinants of mothers to daughters transmission of female genital cutting (FGC) in Senegal, Burkina Faso and Egypt. Using the most recent DHS surveys the study confirms that the main dimension related to daughters’ circumcision is mother’s personal experience as circumcised mothers more likely to perpetrate the practice on daughters. Policies aim at changing this social norm could therefore generate a virtuous circle: for each child who is not circumcised, a risk-free third-generation is projected. Factors related to women’s empowerment as better education, higher autonomy and wealth of the family as well social environment against FGC also discourage the continuation of the practice and protect daughters from the risk to be circumcised in each country analyzed.