PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE PERSISTENCE OF FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING AMONG THE ABAGUSII OF NYANZA, KENYA

Abstract

This survey was carried out in the context of the current concerns over FGC in Kenya and other regions and ongoing efforts to eradicate it. Recent studies show that FGC practiced in over half the districts in the country in Kenya, with 38% of all women aged 15-19 years reporting being circumcised. It is nearly universal among the Kisii (97%) and the Maasai (89%), and is also prevalent among the Kalenjin (62%), Taita-Taveta (59%) and the Meru/Embu (54%) and to a lesser extent among the Kikuyu (43%) and the Kamba (33%) (KDHS, 1998). All types of FGC have been associated with immediate and longterm complications. The immediate complications can include severe pain, trauma, tetanus, urine retention, urethral or anal damage, excessive bleeding, and shock from hemorrhage. The long-term health and physical complications may include urinary and bladder incontinence, recurrent urinary track infections, lack of sexual stimulation and painful sexual intercourse, infertility, vaginal cysts and abscesses, blockages of menstrual flow and elevated risks of obstructed labour. Due to the negative physical and mental impact on women the practice has received global attention and condemnation and several strategies have been adopted in campaigns for its eradication through education, advocacy and religion. Following the initiatives to eradicate the practice of FGC through out Kenya by church groups, government agencies and NGOS, there have been declines in the prevalence of the practice, in some of the Kenyan communities including the Meru, Taita and the Kikuyu. However there has not been significant decline among the Abagusii (Chege and Askew, 2001).