Babiker Ashraf Badri, Zeinab Shakak, Lamya Badri,,Azza Bakkar and Samira Ahmed.

1. Study in male Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in Gezira state towards Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Babiker Ashraf Badri, Zeinab Shakak, Lamya Badri,,Azza Bakkar and Samira Ahmed. Ahfad University for Women

2. Objective of the study This study is aimed to assess the needs of men to combat (FGM), among Gezira State population in Sudan.

3. Justification • The area represents a melting pot for different cultures. • Diversified groups with different ethnicities, nationalities, customs and behaviour and backgrounds who migrated from different parts of Sudan as well as outside Sudan for the collection and harvesting of the cotton. • Gezira state recent data showed a decline in the practice (77.7% SHHS 2006) nevertheless, it is higher than the national statistics norm of (69.4%).

4. Cont. Justification • In Sudan, both men and women take the traditional patriarchal value system for granted. • A consequence of this is that people equate gender equality with peaceful conformity to socially prescribed gender roles. • FGM is seen as means which help female fulfils this traditional role better. • Understanding the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of Sudanese male will help in accelerating the combat against FGM.

5. Methodology • A focus group discussions • Structured questionnaires were conducted among 114 men from different age groups. • Random controlled sampling for factors such as parity, socioeconomic position, and education • This study was conducted among men stationed at WAD Madini Locality the capital of the Gezira Scheme.

6. Results • The youngest respondent age is 15 where the oldest 67 years. • Most of the respondent’s age (48.8%) varied between 21-43 years. • 53% of the respondents are married whereas 46% are single.

7. Cont. Results

8. Cont. Results • 20% of the married men seem to have no knowledge of the sexual organs of the female, whereas 25% of single males are ignorant about female sexual organs.

9. Cont. Results

10. Cont. Results 23% of the married men and more than 43% do not know the functions of the external sexual parts of female.

11. Cont. Results

14. Cross tabulation Age X daughter excision • Ages ranging between 15 and 20 are 100% against excising their daughters whereas, those between 62 and 67 would100% excised their daughters. • 83% of the respondents aging between 44 and 49 are against excision of their daughters. • 60% of age group 50-55 agrees on not excising their daughters. • Generally those who are in favour of excising their daughters are mostly are over 50 years old.

16. 66.7% of married men prefer their wives not to be excised, 79.2% singles prefer their wives not to be excised

18. findings • The knowledge of males in the target area still needs improvement regarding function of females’ external genital parts. • The male knowledge of the effect on women health due to FGM confirms earlier results found in the same state by Lars (2001). • More than 50% of males prefere to marry un excised women.

19. This finding stipulates that cultural beliefs are not always represents the interest and the preference of male regarding FGM. • This positive attitude of men towards FGM is considered to be crucial in abolishing this practice. • Moreover, most of the respondents are not willing to subject their daughters to such practice.

20. Recommendations • Awareness raising, better understanding of the different parts of female external and internal sexual organs as well as advocacy for the sexual and psychological advantages of not being excised are needed to be highlighted to expedite men involvement in the fight against the practice of FGM.