FRONTIERS Projects | Managing and Preventing FGC Among the Somali Community in Kenya

FRONTIERS PROJECT
Managing and Preventing Female Genital Cutting (FGC) Among the Somali Community in Kenya

The design of this project was based on the results of a diagnostic study undertaken in 2004 to better understand the practice of female genital cutting among the Somali in North Eastern Province and in Nairobi (see "Understanding the Practice of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) Among the Somali and Management of Its Complications"). The diagnostic study found that the health system is ill-equipped to serve women who have been cut, in particular infibulated women who are pregnant and delivering. This project, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, provided training for 145 health workers from North Eastern Province in managing FGC-related complications generally, and specifically during and immediately following pregnancy and delivery.

Because many Somalis in this community believe that Islam requires FGM/C, the project also conducted seminars with Somali and non-Somali Islamic scholars on the medical effects of circumcision and the religious basis for the practice. The scholars found that no verse of the Quran or deeds or sayings of the Prophet support FGM/C—although male circumcision is strongly supported. Islamic messages on maintaining the health of the body, and on keeping the body hygienic for “clean” worship, are in fact relevant to the discontinuation of the practice. Work with the scholars is continuing, combined with outreach to community groups to encourage discussion of FGM/C and its cultural underpinnings.

Location

Wajir and Mandera Districts, North Eastern Province, Kenya

Duration

June 2005–February 2008

Population Council researchers

Maryam Sheikh Abdi, Ian Askew

Non-Council collaborators

Division of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Health

GTZ/Kenya

United Nations Children's Fund/Kenya

Donor

US Agency for International Development

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

2009
Abdi, Maryam Sheikh. “A religious oriented approach to addressing female genital mutilation/cutting among the Somali community of Wajir, Kenya,” FRONTIERS Report. Nairobi: Population Council. (updated March 2009) (PDF)

2008
Abdi, Maryam Sheikh, Guyo Jaldesa, and Ian Askew. "Managing and preventing female genital cutting (FGM/C) among the Somali community in Kenya,” FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 167 KB)

"Kenya: Islamic scholars find no religious justification for FGM/C," FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 73. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

2007
Kenya Ministry of Health. "Management of complications, pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period in the presence of FGM/C: A reference manual for health service providers." Nairobi: Division of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Health. (PDF, 1.2 MB)

2006
Kenya Ministry of Health and Population Council. “Reproductive health update trainings for health workers in North Eastern Province, Garissa.” Nairobi: Ministry of Health and Population Council. (PDF, 378 KB)

Related Project

Understanding the Practice of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) Among the Somali and Management of Its Complications