Cutting through complexity: An intersectional analysis of female genital cutting in Indonesia

Abstract

Female genital cutting (FGC) in Indonesia is still prevalent, and it is increasingly prevalent in urban than in rural areas. This study analyzed the prevalence of FGC in Indonesia and the urbanization and medicalization of FGC practices. Specifically, it addresses the critical questions of how urbanization affects the prevalence of FGC, why the medicalization of FGC became prevalent in urban areas, and how it proceeded with the commercialized form of FGC. This study reviews the existing literature and analyses secondary data from government survey reports and policy documents to answer these questions. The results indicate that the high prevalence of FGC in Indonesia is caused by the complexity of the ambiguity of the government’s stance and policy towards FGC and the influence of the actors involved in FGC practices, such as the government, religious organizations, and medical professionals. Hence, legal measures and comprehensive and culturally sensitive strategies are needed to abandon FGC practices in Indonesia.