The relationship between female genital cutting and women's autonomy in Eritrea

To investigate the relationship between women's autonomy and attitudes toward female genital cutting (FGC) and having a daughter with FGC in Eritrea.

Data from a nationally representative sample of 8754 women aged between 15 and 49 years from the 2002 Eritrea Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of the practice of and attitudes toward FGC, including women's autonomy.

Sixty-three percent (n = 3168) of women sampled had at least one daughter who had undergone FGC and 50.1% (n = 4848) of women believed FGC should continue. When controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, the odds of supporting the continuation of FGC were greater among women who justified wife beating (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.66). Among women who participated in household decisions, the odds of them supporting the continuation of FGC were less than among women who did not participate in household decisions (aOR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.75-0.99).

Interventions addressing women's autonomy, specifically attitudes toward gender norms and increasing women's involvement in household decisions that carry a greater responsibility, may be a useful approach to reduce the support for and practice of FGC.