This thesis reviews the practice of female circumcision in Islamic Africa. I chose this geographical location for my study because of the high incidence of female circumcision in Africa. The majority of female circumcision in Africa is practiced in cultures that follow the religion of Islam. The general consensus of contemporary literature in this field of study argues that female circumcision has no religious basis for the practice. This is based on the fact that the Quran contains no explicit, or implicit, command for the practice. I disagree with this approach and believe my thesis fills a gap that exists in current literature. I argue that there are two main perspectives within Islam which I define as Quranic Islam and traditional Islam. Quranic Islam is defined in this thesis as the Muslim faith that accepts only the Quran as the basis and sole authority for its beliefs and practices. Traditional Islam is defined as the Muslim faith that accepts the Quran, and extra-Quranic sources - such as, but not limited to, the Haddith, Sharia, Sunna, and fatwas - as the basis for its belief structure. I argue that the basis for accepting the practice of female circumcision as a religious rite in Islamic Africa is found in traditional Islam. / thesis (MA(Religion))--University of South Australia, 2001.

Purpose and Questions: The purpose with this thesis is to explore why female genital mutilation (FGM) persist in Ethiopia, and secondly to explore reverberations felt in a wider context from a political and ethical perspective. The aim of this paper is not to argue that traditional female genital mutilation ought to be legalized, but to highlight the double standards of moral involved. Following questions were used as guidance to fulfil the purpose: how is the situation for women and what is the status of FGM in Ethiopia?; are there legal framework mechanisms in place?; what are the attitudes on the biggest challenges in the struggle against FGM and what are the way’s forward?; and what readings can be made with regards to the ‘phenomenon’ of genital alterations in a wider context from a political and ethical perspective? Method: This thesis is a case study of the phenomenon genital mutilation. It has elements of a field study with comparative elements, in terms of the ‘phenomenon’ of genital alterations. The material consists of data from fieldwork conducted in Ethiopia as well as data from literature review. Results:  The paper presents an alternative point of view on previously not so well understood relations on the subject matter. Ethiopia is a poor and highly traditional country, where women lack behind in most areas. The legal provisions in the Criminal Code against FGM are not strong enough, or in place. The Criminal Code only restricts the practice and doesn’t explicitly outlaw it. The country is also democratically crippled, and NGOs has been constrained (indirectly) in their work on FGM.  Ethnicity and culture, rather than religion, seem to be the most decisive factors for the practice in Ethiopia. However, it seems as though the veil of silence has been partially lifted. There seem to be awareness in some segments of the population, however much more work is needed towards the total elimination of the practice. Awareness on the harm as well as implementation and adherence to the law, and thus change takes time. Western cultural norms however seem to prevail over other cultural norms, and various forms of genital alterations undertaken due to individual non-medical reasons might create skewed attitudes and have a negative impact on the struggle against FGM, from a wider perspective.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 351-365).

Abstract In recent decades there has been increased immigration to New Zealand of women from East Africa. These countries have the highest prevalence rates (between 90-97%) of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) worldwide. FGM therefore has become part of the care experience of some New Zealand health providers. Information on FGM is available on the New Zealand Ministry of Health website. This study captures the experience of a group of East African women in Christchurch who have undergone FGM and given birth in Christchurch Hospitals. Two focus groups, each with ten women, were held so that women could talk about their health services experience. A narrative approach was adopted, listening to their stories in order to explore, to gain insight and to understand how these women felt during reproductive and antenatal care, childbirth and after childbirth. Interviews with three health providers sought their experiences of caring for women with FGM. The study identifies diverse potential explanations with the focus group members telling their stories and identifying issues related to FGM. Several short case histories are presented to illustrate these experiences. The thematic analysis reported four themes: satisfaction with clinical care, concern about infibulation, barriers to knowledge for women, and problems of cross-cultural communication. Health providers reported similar issues, with themes related to their own clinical experience, knowledge gaps, and need for greater cultural understanding and communication. These themes reflect the journey of the East African women with FGM in Christchurch and the challenges faced by them and their providers. This research recommends that women with FGM receive more education and support to manage their relationships with the health system and their own health. Health providers need continuing education and further support in the psychosocial, psychological and physical health needs of East African women living in Christchurch. Service outcomes should be evaluated.

Thesis (M.A.)--St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-35).

Thesis (M.A.)--Acadia University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-110). Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY, 2007. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 32-35).

This thesis deals with some of the legal and ethical issues that arise when an individual’s genital and gonadal anatomy does not match what is perceived to be the biological (or sometimes culturally determined) norm. I focus on intersex individuals, particularly infants, who may undergo genital surgery, to ‘normalise’ genital anatomy. I compare this type of surgery to other forms of genital cutting on those too young to consent, male circumcision and female genital mutilation (FGM). I discuss how sex is complex and not yet fully understood; intersex challenges the idea that sex is a simple binary entity and the history of ‘sex testing’ in sport illustrates that there are, rarely, individuals for whom categorisation as biologically male or female is impossible. Gender is also a complex entity, but institutions such as medicine and the law still endorse a simple bipolar model of sex and gender. I argue that the assumptions on which medical practice in intersex is based are based on these simplistic gender norms. I argue that one form of intersex surgery, refashioning the clitoris, continues to be seen as a valid treatment option despite the paucity of outcome data and is not treatment for an illness but for an anatomical difference. At least some individuals who have had this procedure perceive that they have been harmed by it. Therefore I argue that the current medical and surgical approach to anatomical genital variation in intersex is ethically questionable. Furthermore it is possible to construct an argument that it is not in the best interests of the young child to undergo this procedure and that it therefore may be unlawful, even when carried out with parental consent. I also argue that, if FGM is unlawful, as it is, then other analogous procedures, such as clitoral surgery for intersex and male circumcision for non-medical reasons should similarly be unlawful. Male circumcision is held to be lawful in England at present, but the English courts have not considered genital surgery in intersex infants. If they did, then the logical conclusion ought to be to proscribe it. I argue that documents such as driving licences and passports should permit a neutral gender and that birth certification ought to permit registration without specifying sex for intersex infants. It is possible that at least some of this may come about in the future, since a recently published report from the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee on Transgender Equality has suggested change in the current situation, one indication of the current rapid pace of change in this area of Law. I argue that education about intersex and sex and gender diversity is important for healthcare professionals and for everyone.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of African Languages at the University Of Zululand, South Africa, 2017 / This research looks into details different ways of circumcision and the teachings of different Zulu communities and their role in fighting the spread of Sexually Transmitted Diseases. It also looks at the role of the society and royal house in the fight against STDs. This research also investigates the advantages and disadvantages of cultural circumcision and medical circumcision so that there would be necessary recommendations that will make men to be willing to circumcise. It looks at good cultures that can be followed to decrease STDs and also the procedures that are followed if a man wants to get married. It looks into details the channels to be followed to prevent teenage pregnancy and prevent STDs. It also investigates the present dangers in people who are homosexual. The research looks closely the reasons that lead people to homosexuality. The study will listen to the views of different societies in regards to STD’s especially AIDS. This research has seven chapters: Chapter one: It is the introduction where the drive of the research is looked, the purpose of the study, methods of research, scope of the study, different critics, beneficiaries of the study and organization of study. Chapter two: Looks at the history of men circumcision, the circumcision and its role in reducing STD’s and the symptoms of the STD’s in a person. Chapter three: Looks at advantages and disadvantages of cultural circumcision and medical circumcision during circumcision and after circumcision. While that is looked after there is going to be the testing of the good that can be done to save the Zulu Nation, and the bad will also be looked at so that the recommendations will be made. Chapter four: Looks at the training of the circumcised men and their behaviour, structures that are supposed to train circumcised men about how to handle themselves. Structures like parents, education, health, traditional leaders and religion. Chapter five: Looks at the results of good behaviour of circumcised men, those who are going to benefit by good behaviour during the first periods of a girl, coming of age, virginity testing to male and female, reed dance, and channels to be followed by men until they get married. Chapter six: It analyses in details the information that has been taken from different structures of communities. Questions concerning circumcising and non-circumcising, age, married and single, ethnical groups, society belief, employment and unemployment, educated and not educated, patients availability and nationality. The second list of question is about believing in removing certain body parts, information about the culture of circumcision and ways of circumcising. It analyses what can be done to reduce the rate of sex in youth. Chapter seven: It is the analysis of research where recommendations are made and concluded.

Traditional male circumcision is a rite of passage among the AmaXhosa in South Africa. According to the custom of male traditional circumcision, initiates should remain in the bush for the entire seclusion period. The AmaXhosa male initiates encounter complications due to a ritual that has gone wrong. Common complications are penile sepsis, dehydration, penile amputations and septicaemia. As a last resort, when the AmaXhosa male initiates do not improve from complications associated with the custom they are referred to hospital for admission (Meintjes, 1998; Warren-Brown, 1998). The main purposes of this study were, first to explore and describe the delivery of care to the hospitalized AmaXhosa male initiates whilst in the hands of healthcare professionals and professional care system. Second, to describe what constitutes culturally appropriate care for hospitalized AmaXhosa male initiates. This study took place in three research sites, that included one rural hospital and two urban hospitals which admitted the AmaXhosa male initiates of traditional circumcision. A total of 13 hospitalized AmaXhosa male initiates and nine health professionals took part in this study. Leininger's ethnonursing qualitative research approach was used to guide this study. Data were collected, using purposive sampling, by means of unstructured interviews using guides, tape-recorder, and field notes. The study was first piloted at Umlamli Hospital using the same data collecting strategies as for the major study. Data from key and general informants were analysed separately using Leininger's (1991) four-phase method. This was carried out in order to answer the research questions and research purposes. Major themes and patterns emerged from this process. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.