Case Study on the End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) programme in the Republic of Kenya (2021)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Pia V. of Child Frontiers with contributions from UNICEF Kenya Country Office staff,the Anti-FGM Board,NGOs and other partners.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: The purpose of this case study is to highlight a promising programme,service or approach that is supported by UNPFA-UNICEF Joint Programme and is contributing to the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. It provides an outline of the work that is being done,and an analysis of its successes and challenges
Study Population: The information presented is based on a documentary review and interviews with those involved and available. Its intended audience includes those working in the areas of research,programmes and policy to eradicate FGM in Kenya,in the region,and elsewhere,such as UNICEF and UNFPA,regional institutions such as the African Union,governments,donors,NGOs and academics.
Findings: Community engagement and dialogue.
The importance of community engagement
and dialogue cannot be underestimated as
these processes ultimately form the basis
of genuine programme contextualization
– a central focus of FGM programming in
Kenya. Organizations working in country
have underscored the need to take a longer
term view,to build relationships with
communities over time and to use these to
enable and support iterative programming.
This grounded means of understanding FGM
and the essential role of the community in
its eradication is believed to be one of the
greatest successes of FGM programming in
Kenya. Multi-faceted and multisectoral
approach. Rather than seeing communities’
issues and needs in isolation,including as
they relate to FGM,government and NGOs
have endeavoured to develop contextualised
understandings of the social,political and
economic factors that shape the lives of
children and families in different settings.
Doing so has included conceptualizing
drivers and needs within a framework of
vulnerability. Taking an integrated approach
has allowed for a range of actors – depending
on the specific needs and context – to work
together to articulate appropriate strategies,
including in collaboration with those working
to address livelihoods,safety and security,
justice,education,and health.Collaboration and coordination with
relevant national level ministries,county
governments and sub-county officials have
ensured better resource utilization,avoided
duplication of work among partners and
reduced a sense of competition. Critically,
working in this way has enabled stakeholders
to deliver a shared message to communities
on FGM as well as on broader child
protection and welfare issues.Access to justice for girls at risk of
FGM or who have undergone FGM. To
strengthen coordination and cooperation
between child protection bodies,the police,
prosecutors’ offices,and courts,the Joint
Programme facilitated the 2nd Annual FGM
conference in 2019,where a six-bench
panel headed by the Office of the Public
Prosecutions and Judiciary deliberated and
made a series of recommendations on the
role of prosecution and the law in ending
FGM in Kenya. As a result,76 persons (59
females and 17 males) were arrested in
connection with the cutting of 50 girls. In
2019,5 girls and women were provided with
legal aid,counselling and representations.
These prosecutions have served to deter to
others in the community.There is much to be learned from the successes and challenges of ongoing efforts to develop and
implement contextually-appropriate interventions to end FGM in Kenya. If the ambitious targets
set out in the SDGs are to be achieved,all efforts to eradicate the practice need to be accelerated,
particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the importance of:
Strengthening collaboration among those working to combat harmful practices,such as
FGM,with others in allied areas,such as emergency-related programmes,alternative care,social
protection and education.
Strengthening community level reporting and supporting interlinkages among community
surveillance teams and other existing structures.
Procuring nationally coordinated standby emergency supplies,including dignity kits for girls
and women.
Leveraging,linking and supporting the capacities of the workforce addressing harmful
practices into the national project of strengthening the social service work force.
Registering a pool of trained community resource persons to be activated during emergencies.
Documenting lessons learned during COVID-19 to inform guidance related to how to develop
and implement an emergency response for FGM in the future.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Kenya