Assessing the Contribution of Participatory Communication in the Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation Among the Marakwet Community

Abstract

The Kenyan government has set 2022 as the timeframe for abolishing female genital mutilation across the country. The findings of this study might be used to improve existing communication approaches, therefore supporting policymakers and other interested parties in achieving this goal. This research aimed to see how effective participatory communication was in the Marakwet community's effort to end female genital mutilation (FGM). The study's overarching goals were to (1) identify the participatory communication techniques used in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), (2) examine the implementation of these approaches, and (3) identify the obstacles encountered by the participatory communication techniques used in the fight against FGM. The purpose of this study was to undertake descriptive research using the notion of citizen involvement as a guide. Three hundred ninety-four respondents and 4 key informants were used to collect primary data from a total population of 97,041, including Marakwet East Sub County, where female genital mutilation (FGM) is still prevalent. A simple random sample was used to collect data from neighbourhood residents, while selective sampling was used to get data from the four informants. We distributed questionnaires and conducted in-person interviews to collect important data. The study's findings were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative approaches and SPSS. Community dialogues, education and training, empowerment, community mobilization, and advocacy were identified as the five most effective modalities of participatory action utilized by the Marakwet community to address female genital mutilation (FGM). Furthermore, competence development promotes social cohesion. This leads to entertainment education via school clubs, music and theatre festivals, door-to-door campaigns, sensitization conferences, outreach initiatives through roadshows, and social mobilization, all to capture the public's attention. The approaches were also helpful in various other areas, such as environmental preservation, peace promotion, various health initiatives (such as eradicating HIV/AIDS and other illnesses like Malaria), and the reduction of cattle rustling. In the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM), there was a contradiction since many community members, especially males, thought that certain participation strategies did not ultimately involve them and that all efforts were focused on girls and women rather than boys and men. As a result of the research, it was advised that the government conduct training and sensitizations for the elderly, both men and women,

about the need to quit the habit and focusing on other vital activities. It was also suggested that the national government, chiefs, and village officials meet regularly to discuss FGM and other region-specific issues.