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.
Wajir and Mandera Districts,
North Eastern Province, Kenya
June 2005–February 2008
Maryam Sheikh Abdi, Ian Askew
Division of Reproductive
Health, Ministry of Health
GTZ/Kenya
United Nations Children's Fund/Kenya
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)
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