الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Female genital cutting (FGC) is a problem that results from a deliberate procedure which causes grave damage to children that can lead, in many cases, to serious health consequences. Each year 2 million girls are estimated to be at risk of this practice, most of them live in 26 African countries, few in Asian countries and increasingly in Europe, Canada, Australia and USA (Toubia 1999 and WHO 2005) .(71,169)The prevalence of female genital cutting in Egypt is over 95%. FGC is practiced by both Muslims and Christians, but there is no conceivable religious basis for this practice. (Royal college of Nursing1994)
Reasons for carrying out FGC are numerous and sometimes deeply rooted. Some of these reasons were stated as being strictly and traditionally instructed, socially preferred, religiously advised, curbing promiscuity, preserving virginity, endorsing hygiene, promoting fertility, martially privileged, promoting proper growth and keeping stamina and good health status. In Egypt it is rather a custom that is seen as means of protecting female’s modesty and chastity, which is highly valued in Islam (El Hakim, 1999, EDHS 2005, Tag-Eldin 2008). (72, 159, 150, 64)
Data on national and international level proved that female genital cutting is still prevalent in Egypt and in some other countries (EDHS 2005). (150)
FGC is a cultural practice. Efforts to end it require understanding and changing the beliefs and perceptions that have sustained the practice. Egypt adopted anti-FGC campaigns and legislation to establish a foundation for sustained behavior change. Earlier community outreach activities had raised awareness about FGC, allowing the alternative rites of passage initiative to focus on fostering decision-making to abandon the practice. Significant media coverage helped to promote both awareness and interest. In 2008 a child protection law was passed and within it FC was prohibited and criminalized.