Shifts in female genital mutilation/cutting in Kenya: Perspectives of families and health care providers (2018)
This study is a Exploratory research regarding All FGM/C with the following characteristics:
Author(s): Kimani,S.,& Kabiru,C. W.
FGM/C Type(s): All
Health area of focus: None.
Objective: This study sought to understand the shifts in FGM/C among families and health care providers from selected Kenyan communities that practise FGM/C
Study Population: Families with medically or traditionally cut girls aged 0-15 years,women aged 15-49 years and their husbands and/or partners,as well as women and men aged 50 years and older. Community leaders,representatives from organisations,and health care providers were also interviewed.
Findings: FGM/C persists in the investigated communities through two models: first,alterations in the practice,such as cutting at a younger age,less cutting,and medicalization in Abagusii and Somali tribes. Second,via constancy and stability,as in the Kuria community. Both models appear to rely on social norms that favor FGM/C in these cultures. The shifts are an adaptation to FGM/C dynamics,including health concerns and legal bans. The shifts are motivated by societal development,health and legal hazards,cultural and traditional norms,religious reasons,and supply-side factors include health care professionals’ motivation to decrease risks and respond to clients’ needs. Medicalization is not necessarily seen as a step toward abandonment,but rather a strategy to prolong the procedure,especially considering social variables that normalize “modernized” FGM/C in urban settings and a few rural enclaves. FGM/C interventions must take these dynamics into account. These shifts must be addressed for abandonment. Law enforcement,FGM/C awareness programs targeting health care providers and the community,and cross-border measures should be included. Abandonment programs should also focus on religious factors,social development,and awareness of FGM/C as a health,human right,legal,and religious violation.
Geographical coverage
Region(s):Eastern Africa
Country(ies):Kenya