According to a new report prepared for the Ministry of Children and Equality and Ministry of Health in Norway, female circumcision is much less widespread than originally thought. Between 2006 and 2007, there were 15 known cases of female circumcision. Six of the fifteen cases had been reported to the police. Researches think that the change in attitude concerning the practice will contribute to reducing the extent of female circumcision; the practice had been thought to make marriage easier for girls to be married, but attributed among males suggest that they prefer marrying a girl who is not circumcised. The change in stigmatization is believed to be contributing to the decline in the practice in the country – or at least those which are known. In addition, the Norwegian law banning the practice is becoming more known, which is also believed to be contributing to the decline.
