FRONTIERS PROJECT
Understanding the Meaning of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) and Medicalization of the Practice in the Abagusii Community

FRONTIERS and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) investigated the role that health providers play in the medicalization of FGC among the Abagusii ethnic group in Kenya. The study showed that the nearly universal practice of circumcising girls is supported by the belief, both among clients and providers, that FGC fulfills a traditional obligation. Efforts to reduce the complications of cutting had the effect of increasing the role of medical personnel, often as a side business, but have also led to less-invasive cuts that are largely symbolic. Both communities and providers are incompletely informed about the legal status of FGC. Anti-FGC strategies must include participation by health staff as advocates for eliminating cutting, and must include community-wide approaches that present FGC in terms of rights and gender as well as health.

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Location

Abagusii communities, Kenya

Duration

August 2002–June 2004

Population Council researcher

Ian Askew

Non-Council collaborator

Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources
Council researchers' names appear in boldface type. 

2007
“Kenya: Mobilize health care providers to advocate against FGM/C,” FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 60. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

2004
Njue, Carolyne and Ian Askew. “Medicalization of female genital cutting among the Abagusii in Nyanza Province, Kenya,” FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 829 KB)

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See Also

• Kenya

• Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

• FRONTIERS Kenya

• FRONTIERS Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

Offsite Link

• INTACT Network (a Population Council initiative to enhance communications and research utilization in the FGM/C field.)

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