Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Understanding Female Genital Mutilation
- Prevalence of FGM in Kenya
- Health Risks Associated with FGM
- Legal Framework Against FGM
- Initiatives and Responses
- The Role of Sole for African Child Foundation
- Education as a Tool for Change
- Community Engagement
- Challenges Ahead
- Recommendations
- FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction.
FGM is a harmful and widespread traditional practice undertaken on women and girls worldwide, most commonly in Africa. Although illegal in Kenya, Cultural ascription has enabled FGM to endure as a persistent public health concern. We explore the statistics of FGM in Kenya, the health complications, the laws promoting eradication, the education and awareness efforts being made and the challenges in tackling this violation of human rights.
Want to crack Female Genital Mutilation?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Cultural rationales for the practice often justify it in terms of purity, social acceptance and marriageability. FGM is widespread among certain ethnic groups in Kenya, including the Maasai people, the Kikuyu, and Somali tribes.
Prevalence of FGM in Kenya
Statistics: More than one in five women aged 15-49 have experienced FGM (Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022). Prevalence varies widely by area and ethnic group:
- Maasai: Up to 90%
- Somali: Approximately 90%
- Kikuyu: About 27%
Ongoing Trends: If trends remain the same, approximately 3 million girls will be subjected to FGM in Kenya in the next 10 years.
Health Risks of FGM
FGM is a dangerous routine for women and girls:
- Immediate postoperative complications are Severe pain, hemorrhage, Sepsis, and shock.
- Extended Effects: Persistent pain, Issues with Childbirth (especially blocking labor), mental injury, and elevated danger of reproductive health problems
Health Statistics
- Several women who suffer from difficulties during labor have experienced this practice, resulting in a 30% chance of cesarean section among those having undergone FGM.
- Survivors have experienced trauma related to the procedure, leading to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Legal Framework Against FGM
Kenya has made significant strides in addressing FGM through legislation:
- Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011): This law criminalizes the practice of FGM and provides for penalties against those who perform or facilitate it.
- Enforcement Challenges: Despite legal prohibitions, enforcement remains weak in many regions due to cultural resistance and lack of awareness about the law.
Initiatives and Responses
Kenya has made efforts to address the practice of FGM through many actors:
- Awareness Campaigns: Amref Health Africa or Plan International and other NGOs are working to educate people on the risks of FGM.
- Survivor Support Services: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) offer both medical and psychological support services to FGM survivors, along with legal services.
Key Initiatives
- Community engagement is the cornerstone of the “Tuko Pamoja” campaign to drive attitudinal change around FGM.
- The Alternative Rites of Passage program provides non-mutilating ceremonies that celebrate girlhood without FGM/C.
Soles for African Child Foundation’s role.
Soles for African Child Foundation has been very pivotal in combating FGM challenges not only in Kenya but also throughout Africa. To combat this harmful practice, the foundation seeks to do so by targeted interventions and community engagement strategies, including but not limited to,
- Awareness Raising: Implementing community outreach programs to raise awareness of child rights and gender equality, including the dangers of FGM and the benefits of abandonment for families and communities.
- Assistance Services: Provision of medical assistance, psychological counseling for survivors and rights protection.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Working with local leaders, healthcare providers, and educators to create an environment conducive to change.
Future Plans
Soles for African Child Foundation is ready to do more, with the help of well-wishers and good donors:
- Increase in these programs: An expansion of the foundation’s education programs to young girls and boys about the consequences of FGM.
- Advocating for Policy Change: Ongoing lobbying for stricter enforcement of current anti-FGM laws, along with new pro-women rights policies
Using Education as an Agent of Change.
Education is a key factor in the fight against FGM.
- Empowering Girls: By making girls aware of their rights and reproductive health, they will be guided to make empowered choices regarding their bodies.
- Boys and Girls: The engagement of men and boys is key to gender equality because only convincing men and boys about the need to change strengthens this social norm, about the harm of FGM and the psychological effect of being protected by children.
Community Engagement.
Community leaders can be key players in the fight against FGM:
- Phased Culturally Sensitive Initiatives: Efforts to abolish FGM have to be culturally sensitive and rooted in the promotion of human rights and not condemn local customs.
- Create Alternative Rites of Passage: Creating ceremonies that do not include mutilation but that focus on celebrating girlhood may help change perceptions.
Challenges Ahead.
While there has been much to celebrate, many challenges still exist:
- Silence Breakage: there is a stigma attached to FGM and reporting this abuse happens very rarely.
- Financial Challenges: Those fighting against FGM experience funding currents that restrict their outreach channels.
Recommendations.
If we are to win the war against FGM in Kenya and Africa at large, the following should be borne in mind.
- Enhance Legal Enforcement: Enhanced comprehensive training of law enforcement on how to prosecute FGM cases and bring perpetrators to justice.
- Shift Resources To NGOs — More funds to be given to organizations such as Soles for African Child Foundation which are on the ground to fight and support FGM survivors.
- Offer Educational Programs — Introduce schools with extensive educational programs related to gender equality, reproductive health, and risks of FGM.
- Organization of community workshops in which men joined their wives to denounce the damage of FGM on families and communities.
- Partner with Religious Leaders: Work with religious leaders to speak out against FGM and/or to portray FGM in opposition to the tenets of their religion.
- Use Technology: Use social media to raise awareness for the impacts of FGM in your youth.
FAQs
FGM – What is it, exactly?
FGM comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.
What are the categories of Female Genital Mutilation?
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies it into four major types:
- Type I (Clitoridectomy): Partial or total removal of the clitoris.
- Type II (Excision): Partial or total clitoridectomy and/or excision of labia minora.
- Type III (Infibulation) — narrowing of the vaginal opening by cutting and repositioning the labia majora
- TYPE IV: Every other misuse including pricking or puncturing.
So here are some aspects of good menstrual hygiene management:
- Changing sanitary products every 4–8 hours
- Cleaning hands before and after contact with menstrual items
- Daily washing of the areas of the genitals with clean water and mild soap.
How significant is education in the fight against FGM?
Bringing awareness of their rights over their bodies, it encourages girls to challenge traditions that harm them such as female genital mutilation (FGM) — and equips them with the knowledge they need to make decisions that foster equity (and eventual gender equality) between male and female members of their communities.
How can we each make a difference in abolishing FGM?
Individuals can help out by doing the following items:
- Donating or volunteering for organizations combating FGM
- Creating awareness among communities on the hazards of FGM
- Advocating for policy changes related to women’s rights
Conclusion.
In Kenya, we have made great progress towards ending Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) but there is still more work to be done. To eradicate this harmful practice, consistency in advocacy, education, community involvement and organizational support like Sole for African Child Foundation is needed. If every stakeholder in the fight against FGM brings these facts to light and actively promotes alternative rites of passage, they can equally safeguard the rights and lives of women and girls in every part of this country. These efforts should be based on supporting the conditions whereby cultural practices are able to adapt and develop without the individual suffering violations of their human rights or of their health. We can only end FGM and give the women of our country the power they deserve together. Ending FGM is not only about eradicating harmful customs but also about making sure that every girl has the right to live a life free of violence and discrimination.
Hii,my name is Maureen and am an fgm survivor.would love to join your cause.
Thanks.