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The Role of Participatory Community-Based Research in FGM/C Programming in Somaliland
Amal Ahmed and Katy Newell-Jones
Academic research, undertaken externally by specialised institutions, is often considered the pinnacle of research. However, translating research findings into realistic and achievable actions for civil society organisations (CSOs) can be daunting.
This chapter reflects on the journey of one CSO, Somaliland Family Health Association (SOFHA), since 2016, as it engaged in a form of participatory community-based research (PCBR) to acquire an evidence-based understanding of FGM/C to inform and enhance its programmes. The subsequent learning has transformed SOFHA’s approach to working with communities and contributed to a range of initiatives promoting the abandonment of FGM/C.