Women's autonomy and the influence on female genital cutting in Eritrea

Background: The prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC) in Eritrea is among the highest in the world, with 89 percent of women experiencing FGC. Despite a ban on FGC enacted in 2007 and numerous measures implemented to enforce the ban, the practice continues. It is important to understand women's autonomy to get insight into women's control over their lives, domestic environment and gender roles, which are important in understanding demographic and health behavior, including behavior and attitudes towards FGC. Methods: Data were retrieved from the 2002 Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey and included a nationally representative sample of 8,754 women. Measures of women's autonomy (attitudes towards wife beating and involvement in household decisions) and socio-demographic characteristics were included as independent variables. Having at least one daughter circumcised and support of the continuation of FGC were outcome measures. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of the practice and attitudes towards FGC. Results: 63 percent of women have at least one daughter circumcised and 50 percent of women believed FGC should continue. When controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, women who justify wife beating were more likely to support the continuation of FGC (OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.23-1.66) and women who participate in household decisions were less likely to support the continuation (OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.75-0.99). Conclusions: Interventions addressing women's autonomy, specifically attitudes towards gender norms and increasing women's involvement in household decisions that carry a greater responsibility, may be a useful approach in reducing the support and practice of FGC.