Female Genital Mutilation of Girls in Dagestan (Russian Federation). Report based on the results of a qualitative study on female genital mutilation performed on girls
This report pursues a mainly practical goal: to draw attention to the practice of FGM in Dagestan in order to mobilise concern for the problem among various sectors and organisations, whose combined efforts have the potential to eradicate the practice in the region. The report’s findings are based on interviews conducted in February-March 2016 with women respondents who have undergone such operations in childhood, as well as interviews with local experts in Dagestan. An analysis of the interviews with the female respondents also illustrates how women living in Dages- tan’s mountainous villages perceive and justify the practice of FGM. Final- ly, the report presents what is probably the first legal analysis of the prac- tice under Russian national law, with reference to international law and standards.