Medicalization of female genital cutting among the Abagusii in Nyanza Province,Kenya (2004)
This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Carolyne Njue,Ian Askew
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: To understand the role that health providers play in the medicalization of female genital cutting (FGC) among the Abagusii community,whose members live primarily in the Kisii,Gucha,and Nyamira districts of Nyanza Province in western Kenya,and among whom the practice continues to be almost universal
Study Population: Healthcare professionals,Community Informants,Parents,Young married,Unmarried Men,Women
Findings: Several reasons emerged as to why the Abagusii continue practicing FGM/C. The predominant reason,from qualitative and quantitative data,was that FGM/C fulfils Abagusii customs and traditions that are deeply entrenched,especially among the older generation. Parents of circumcised girls spoke strongly of the importance of FGM/C as a cultural identifier of a member of the minority Abagusii community,distinguishing their daughters from their majority Luo neighbours who do not circumcise women.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Kenya