Key Social Norms Take-aways In Senegal, social norms surrounding FGM/C are deeply embedded in gendered ideas of morality, femininity, and social inclusion. The study shows that these norms are not monolithic but vary significantly by region, ethnicity, and social status. In South Senegal, norms linking FGM/C to marriageability, virtue, and social support remain strongly upheld, while in Central Senegal these norms have shifted. Importantly, decisions about FGM/C are rarely made in isolation; instead, they are shaped by dense and gendered social networks. Network influence is highly intersectional—dependent on age, gender, and authority—and can either reinforce or challenge the practice. Legal bans alone have not dismantled the norms but have driven the practice underground, underscoring that visible collective norm shifts are essential to sustainable abandonment.
Objectives To explore how social networks influence decision-making around FGM/C in Senegal and to analyze how intersecting social factors—such as gender, generation, and class—shape individuals’ power to reinforce or challenge social norms related to this practice.
Methods The study used a mixed-methods, intersectional approach that combined social network analysis with ethnographic fieldwork and in-depth interviews. Data were collected in four Senegalese communities with varying FGM/C prevalence. Social network surveys mapped relationships and advice-seeking patterns related to FGM/C, while qualitative interviews explored how network dynamics and personal identities influenced norm maintenance or change.
Results The majority of respondents relied on advice from their social networks—especially female kin—when making decisions about FGM/C. However, influence within these networks was stratified. Older women typically upheld cutting as a moral and social obligation, whereas younger women with more education or urban exposure were more inclined to support abandonment. Still, acting on these views often required backing from powerful network figures. The research also found that coordinated abandonment efforts were more effective when supported by network leaders or visible public support, which helped mitigate the fear of social sanctions.
Conclusions In Senegal, FGM/C decisions are embedded in dense social networks where power to influence norms varies by gender, age, and status. Efforts to eliminate cutting must target these networks, not just individuals. Programs should identify influential actors across generations, build collective action within social groups. Intersectional strategies that acknowledge and address social hierarchies are essential for fostering inclusive and sustainable norm change.