Helpdesk Research Report www.gsdrc.org helpdesk@gsdrc.org Harŵful traditioŶal practices iŶ diaspora coŵŵuŶities Evie Browne 16.05.2014 Question What is the evidence of the continuation or cessation of (or changes to) harmful traditional practices by diaspora communities contrary to trajectories of change in their countries of origin. Please include evidence on female genital mutilation/cutting and child, early and forced marriage. Contents 1. Overview 2. Legality 3. Social pressures 4. Cultural integration 5. Access to new information 6. Diasporic identity influences 7. References 1. Overview This paper draws together evidence on the factors affecting change in carrying out harmful traditional practices (HTPs). It focuses only on female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and early, forced and child marriage. There are very few studies which specifically compare trajectories of change in home countries and diaspora communities. As such, this report collates evidence into categories which are known to affect change in diaspora communities, both towards and away from HTPs. In general, the trajectory of change among the diaspora communities discussed in the literature surveyed for this report is away from carrying out HTPs. There are fewer examples identified of communities wishing to uphold these practices in their new countries. IŶ this report, diaspora is uŶderstood to refer to eŵigraŶts aŶd their desĐeŶdaŶts, ǁho liǀe outside their country of birth or ancestry, either on a temporary or permanent basis, yet still maintain affective and