(PS6-52) Negative Psychological Effects of Female Genitalia Mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) for Tanzania Girls Who Escaped to FGM Safehouse for Protection

The World Health Organization described Female Genitalia Mutilation/Cutting FGM/C as “all procedures that involve partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.” The occurrence of FGM/C in Tanzania is a significant health and social issue in indigenous communities and ranges from 31% to 58% in the most prevalent regions. FGM/C often leads to severe medical complications, such as intense pain, excessive bleeding, wound infections, maternal and newborn complications, and sometimes fatalities. Although the harmful physical impacts of female genital cutting (FGC) are widely recognized, the psychological effects of this practice remain understudied. To address this research gap, we will conduct a mixed-method qualitative research study using oral interview and archival research methods in the Mara and Arusha regions of Tanzania where the FGM/C practice is still prevalent in the indigenous communities. Because FGM/C is deeply rooted in the culture of Tanzanian indigenous communities, it is important to address harmful psychological effects of FGM/C for female survivors and identify effective preventative interventions. The PI, a Tanzanian international student completing his MA study in the US, will interview 12 local feminist activists about the psychological traumas experienced by Tanzanian girls who escaped to local safehouses to avoid FGM/C and the utilization of safe-house spaces as platforms for organizing and activism against FGM/C. The PI will also visit non-digital archives and a women and community development research institute in Tanzania to gather archival data regarding women's activism efforts to fight against Negative Psychological of FGM/C. Feminist critical discourse analysis will be used to analyze the discourses and practices within oral history interviews and archival data. The findings will highlight the importance of offering psychological support to girls and women in the communities and the use of safehouse to prevent FGC and re-integrate the uncut girls with their families and communities.