FRONTIERS Projects | Kenya: Understanding the Practice of Female Genital Cutting (FGC) Among the Somali and Management of Its Complications

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

The Somali community living in Kenya has practiced the severest form of female genital cutting, infibulation, for centuries. This diagnostic study sought to describe the cultural context of FGC, which is widely practiced within the Somali communities of Kenya. The objective of the project was to inform the design and implementation of community- and clinic-based interventions to encourage the abandonment of FGC and to improve management of obstetric and gynecologic complications associated with the practice. Researchers interviewed community and religious leaders, men, women, and health care providers, and assessed the ability of clinics to offer safe motherhood and other services to women who have been cut. The study found that FGC is deeply rooted culturally and sustained through beliefs about religion, family honor, sexual purity, and aesthetic preference, but does not function as a rite of passage. The health sector is poorly equipped to manage complications affecting women who have been cut, especially pregnant women. The study recommended that policymakers contribute to abandonment efforts by strengthening government policy on FGC, participating in community-level discussions on the topic, and improving the management of FGC-related complications in clinics as part of improvements to safe motherhood. A follow-on project based on these findings is underway: "Managing and Preventing FGC Among the Somali Community in Kenya."

Location

Wajir and Mandera Districts, North Eastern Province, and Eastleigh, Nairobi, Kenya

Duration

June 2004–October 2004

Population Council researcher

Ian Askew

Non-Council collaborators

Division of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Health

Italian Development Cooperation

United Nations Children's Fund/Kenya

Donor

US Agency for International Development

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

2007
“Kenya: Begin community dialogue on FGM/C by discussing cultural justification,” FRONTIERS OR Summary no. 59. Washington, DC: Population Council. (full text)

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

2005
Jaldesa, Guyo W., Ian Askew, Caroline Njue, and Monica Wanjiru. “Female genital cutting among the Somali of Kenya and management of its complications,” FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council. (PDF, 460 KB)

Related Project

Managing and Preventing FGC Among the Somali Community in Kenya