| dc.description.abstract | The study sought to examine the persistence of FGM among the Kisii. The study was
guided by four specific objectives: To find out the justification for the persistence of
FGM among the Kisii community; to establish the efforts towards eliminating the
practice of FGM among the Kisii; to investigate the issues and challenges facing the
practice of FGM among the Kisii and To find out peoples knowledge of the law
concerning FGM. The study was also premised on the social exchange theory, structuralfunctionalist
approach and the feminist theory. The study adopted the descriptive research
design. The study adopted the cluster and purposive sampling techniques to identify the
respondents for the study. The researcher adopted both qualitative and quantitative
approaches to data collection which included questionnaires, key informant interviews
and the focus Group Discussions. The study revealed that all the female respondents
involved in the data collection process through the survey had undergone FGM. In the
sample 74.2 percent had circumcised their daughters whereas 25.8 percent had not. The
study found that most of the respondents had indeed had undertaken their daughters
through FGM. The persistence of FGM was attributed to traditional / cultural beliefs. The
study found that 76.2 percent of respondents had undergone FGM willingly compared to
23.8 percent who were forced. This was enhanced through socialization within the
community that reinforces the stereotypes against uncircumcised girls or women and thus
a girl will choose to undergo the process so as to avoid mocking from the community and
their peers. In regard to the effect of FGM the study found that 51.5 percent indicated
excessive bleeding, 2.0 percent were obstructed labour, and 7.9 percent were sexual
complications and 38.6 percent. Anti – FGM campaigns were the major source of
information on FGM as indicated by 48.5 percent, health centers were 5.0 percent, radio
announcements were 1.0 percent and personal experience was 45.5 percent. The study
found that government agencies were the most popular facilitators of FGM as cited
among 38.6 percent of the sample, non – governmental organizations were 6.9 percent,
religious organizations were 46.5 percent, women groups were 4.0 percent, radio
broadcasts were 2.0 percent and community based organizations (CBOs) were 1.0
percent. Findings indicate there is a high level of awareness on the law concerning the
practice of FGM as espoused by Figure 13 which depicts that 91.1 percent of respondents
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answered yes, 5.0 percent said no, 2.0 indicated don’t know. Among the respondents 61.4
percent indicated they knew of the Anti – FGM law, 29.7 percent were Children’s Act of
2001, 2.0 percent were the Kenya Constitution 2010. The study recommends for
emphasis on awareness on the dangers associated with FGM which should be integrated
into the education of the girl child; a multi-sectoral approach to eradication of FGM
through coordinated efforts from the government agencies, non-governmental
organisations, community based organisations on the fight against FGM; empowerment
of community groups in the fight against FGM and emphasis on sensitization among
medical practitioners who are involved in FGM practice. | en_US |
