Persuasion and persistence:Female Circumcision among the Embu, Kisii and Somali of Kenya

Abstract

This is a comparative study of female circumcision (Fe) among the Embu, Kisii and Somali societies of Kenya. This study was both exploratory and explanatory in nature. The main objective of the study was to describe, analyze and explain the practice of female circumcision within the contexts of persuasion and persistence. Five main lines of investigation were pursued in this study, viz. (1) the cultural institution of female circumcision from a comparative perspective and within the context of persuasion and persistence; (2 ) the manifestations of persuasion against the practice of female circumcision; (3) the capacities of the recipient communities to be persuaded to abandon the practice of female circumcision; (4) the forces of persuasion against the practice of female circumcision and (5) the tools of persuasion against the practice of female circumcision. The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection. Comparative data were collected from women and men in three districts, i.e among the Kisii, the Aembu and Somali of Kenya. A total sample of 369 women was selected through purposive sampling. To complement the survey data, Focus Group Discussions (FGDS), in-depth interviews and case studies were conducted.