Reflexivity and positionality when researching Female Genital Cutting

[Extract] Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is a controversial topic to broach within some cultures and communities. Reflexivity and positionality allow researchers to approach such topics with careful thought and self-awareness. Huda Syyed shares the importance of disrupting the power dynamic between the researcher and interviewee, through self-introspection and humanization of participants, in order to create safer spaces for participants.
Carrying out research on controversial cultural practices is challenging. The topic of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is often met with reactions of disbelief and dismay by outsiders. It triggers a sense of moral consciousness that villainizes FGC practising communities. These attitudes make it difficult for communities to openly speak about their personal thoughts and feelings surrounding this practice. The fear of stigma and societal backlash is an impediment to understanding FGC in a cultural and communal context. To navigate this collective anxiety, it is essential to approach participants with care and compassion. In essence, a self-introspective strategy with reflexivity is required to interact and connect with them. These are overlapping and recurring concepts that are shuffled and revisited through the research process.