Developing Personal Skills
Through developing personal skills each individual has the ability to learn and become informed about health, as well as take actions toward lifestyle choices they make. As health care providers become more aware of FGM, they can empower children, women and families to increase their level of education about this practice, and thereby increasing control over their life.
Studies show that the more educated women and children are about the practice of FGM, the less likely they are to have the procedure done. Olarinmoye & Amusan (2008, p. 294) state that “the proportion of respondents who had their daughters excised was higher among those with no formal education.” Furthermore, Olarinmoye & Amusan (2008, p. 294) suggest that “literacy and empowerment leading to gender equality and equal opportunity is clearly an essential way forward” in eradicating this practice. Through the “development of individual capacities and the mobilization of these toward health promoting behaviours and increased control over health” (Fownes & Vollman, 2012, p. 88) women are more likely to stop this practice within their own families and empower others to do so.
Studies show that the more educated women and children are about the practice of FGM, the less likely they are to have the procedure done. Olarinmoye & Amusan (2008, p. 294) state that “the proportion of respondents who had their daughters excised was higher among those with no formal education.” Furthermore, Olarinmoye & Amusan (2008, p. 294) suggest that “literacy and empowerment leading to gender equality and equal opportunity is clearly an essential way forward” in eradicating this practice. Through the “development of individual capacities and the mobilization of these toward health promoting behaviours and increased control over health” (Fownes & Vollman, 2012, p. 88) women are more likely to stop this practice within their own families and empower others to do so.