Factors that Influence the Persistent Practice of Female Genital Mutilation. A Case of Tigania People, Meru County.

Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation refers to the procedures alter or cause injury to the female genital organs in the form of circumcision or clitoridectomy for no known medical reasons. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the persistent practice of Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya, a case study of Tigania East Sub-county, Meru County. This was done by determining the contribution of the cultural practices to the persistent practice of FGM, determining the influence of environmental factors to the practice of FGM, assessing the contribution of agencies towards the persistent practice of FGM, and determining the influence of awareness on the practice of FGM in the study area. The study employed the cross-sectional research design and used a sample size of 384 study participants. This study used both stratified random and purposive sampling to identify the participants. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used in the study, with the use of questionnaires and focused group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS version 22.0 where the data was subjected to scientific methods of calculations such as means, frequencies, standard deviations, and percentages, and then presented using frequency tables and pie charts in form of descriptive and inferential statistics using the Pearson’s correlation. Qualitative data was analyzed and presented using the relevant themes. The study revealed that all the female respondents involved in the data collection process through the survey had undergone FGM. In the sample of women, 74.2% had circumcised their daughters whereas 25.8% had not. The persistence of FGM was attributed to cultural beliefs. The study found that 76.2% of girls and women interviewed had undergone FGM willingly compared to 23.8% who were forced. This was enhanced through socialization within the community that reinforces the stereotypes against uncircumcised girls or women. In regard to the effect of FGM the study found that of all the women and girls who had undergone FGM, 51.3% indicated excessive bleeding, 12.2% were obstructed labor, and 34.9% were sexual complications. The study draws the following recommendations: the girls should be empowered to refuse the practice of FGM and the community at large should join the efforts to fight the practice of FGM by abolishing harmful cultural beliefs and myths. In addition, the government should develop and enforce policies and frameworks to create awareness against FGM, the NGOs should empower the community through creating awareness against FGM and the health workers should educate the community on the harmful effects of FGM so as to promote the eradication of the practice. Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation, Cultural practices, Agencies, Awareness