Involving Men: The Multiple Meanings of Female Genital Mutilation in a Minority Migrant Context

Abstract

The paper explores the roles of men in the continuation/abandonment of female genital mutilation (FGM) in a migrant minority community in Sweden. The aim is to contribute to the under-researched area of men’s attitudes towards and experiences of FGM, using frameworks on engaging men, feminist theories on men and masculinity, and intersectionality. It is based on an inductive qualitative design for data collection, including a focus group discussion with 13 male Somali migrants in Sweden. The analysis shows a window of opportunity for involving minority migrant men in prevention and to challenge a minority migrant gender regime. The ambivalent attitudes expressed are based on a will to reflect on roles, a desire to adjust to conflicting social norms and institutional rules, and an interest in the legal, health and medical consequences of FGM. The paper concludes that successful interventions and involvement need to consider local activism, gendered dynamics, masculinities and empowerment; attempts to eradicate FGM will be more successful if they empower women and men.