Betül AKALIN

Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision in literature, is defined as the surgical alteration involving partial or complete removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. This practice, usually carried out at an early age, can be observed in countries with different religions. It is mostly carried out due to traditional reasons and has many negative consequences. It is considered as a violation of women's human rights, the right to access the highest health standards, children's rights, discrimination, and fundamental inequality between genders. Despite these labels, the number has not decreased significantly worldwide, and according to researches, one-fourth of the 52 million women undergo female genital mutilation, which turns this practice into a medical fact. Somalia is one of the countries where the practice is mostly common. The main objective of this study is to determine how the issue of female circumcision is perceived by the young Somalis who come to Turkey for educational purposes. With the questions prepared within the scope of the study, the approach of young people to the subject is discussed. In the study, it has been determined that although women are the potential victims, they are more inclined to undergo the practice than men and that they do not regard it as a human rights violation. It has been concluded that different interpretation and perception of circumcision practice by both genders will support the fight against female circumcision, in addition to informing about the harms for health, in which social public information, where males are also let to express their point of view against circumcision and take a stance against patriarchal-based thinking ingrained in society.

Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation, Female Circumcision, Somalis Youth, Human Rights