Effects of female genital mutilation on the Maasai community of Ntashart location
Abstract
This cross-sectional and descriptive study was designed to assess the effects of female genital
mutilation. The field work was carried out in Ntashart Location, Ngong Division, and Kajiado
District. The study sought to realize both the factors working for and against FGM as well as
general effects and ways of eradicating FGM among the women of Maasai community. A total
of 60 females were systematically randomly sampled and interviewed.
The data and information for this study were obtained through library research, interviews, focus
group discussions, survey and key informants. Then, data was analyzed both quantitatively and
qualitatively and the information presented in tables, figures, charts and notes.
The study findings revealed that FGM is still widely practiced among Maasai community
irrespective of some efforts put forward by the government and other parties. It also shows that
young girls, who form the majority of the population, are forced into FGM, drop out of school
early and get married while they haven't matured.
During the cutting and afterwards, these young girls suffer from various effects among them are,
excessive bleeding, anemia, difficulty in urinating, problems with child birth that at times cause
deaths if measures are not taken in time.
Therefore it is recommended that all the concerned parties including the government, civil
societies, NGOs, learning institutions, development agencies, should harmonize their approaches
so that a common and an acceptable policy, approach and methodology is used.
Capacity building and empowerment should begin right from primary levels of education, to the
community and information should be made available to all the societies practicing FGM in
Kenya.
Citation
Master Of Arts in Gender and Development StudiesPublisher
University of Nairobi Institute Of Anthropology, Gender And African Studies