Conflict between traditional and biomedical views on effects of female genital cut on women’s health: The case in Marakwet Community,Kenya (2019)
This study is a Descriptive research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Kipkorir,D.,Kareithi,J.,& Wandere,D.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: This paper is examines the “mind-set” of the Marakwet people on female circumcision and its effects on women’s health. It presents conflicting view between the Marakwet and biomedics on effects of female genital cut on women’s health and how this parallel outlook on the tradition has impeded anti-female circumcision campaigns in the community
Study Population: The population of the study included community elderly men and women,opinion and religious leaders,NGOs managers and biomedical practitioners
Findings: The study showed that the Marakwet convey an opposing view on female cut. The community insists that the ritual is not detrimental to women’s health as envisaged by biomedics but very useful for well-being of the female and her offspring. Though the insider’s standpoint on this tradition has no scientific basis,it remains the major driving force behind the persistence of female genital cut in the community. To counteract the problem,the study recommends incessant education of all members of the community so as to effectively understand negative effects of the cultural practice on women’s health
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Kenya