Effects Of Female Genital Mutilation In Olokurto Location, Narok County Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study was on the effects of female genital mutilation in Olokurto location in Narok County. Perpetuation of FGM by social dynamics is the main problem that has made it difficult for families and individual girls and women to abandon the practice. It has been noted as a harmful practice and if FGM is not performed it brings shame and curse. The study found out that the olokurto community is still practicing FGM despite the government of Kenya and other organizations fighting to stamp out the practice. The community is still rooted in its traditions irrespective of the effects. The information collected was limited since there were those directly affected who did not want to participate in the study while many just did it to impress the researcher. The study was significant since it gave information on the persistence of FGM practice in the community and its effects. Objectives of the study were to; examine the local community perception of female genital mutilation, to find out the effects of F.G.M., to determine the consequences of F.G.M. on girls and to examine the initiatives taken by the local community in F.G.M. The major effects on the girls and women were rare social interactions, high levels of trauma, and early marriages (88%) of the girls and women agreed to this. The consequences of FGM as established by the researcher came out clearly as girls dropping out of school, painful periods and injury to the neighboring organs 85% of the respondent in olokurto location agreed to this as the major consequences. The findings were presented in table and 75% of the respondents agreed that the perception of men to marry uncircumcised girls in the area has forced many to accept the cut while 23% disagreed to this. The study established that 77% of the respondents supported that the NGOs were working to fight FGM in olokurto location with only 5% of the respondents disagreeing. Data was collected through administering questionnaires and was analyzed using descriptive statistics which used frequency distribution tables. The study found out that, among the leading effects of F.G.M. local community perception many women and girls are forced to undergo F.G.M. because of the local community perception that it is a rite of passage. The research recommends that through the government offering free primary and secondary education, would play a major role in eradicating F.G.M. the study further recommends that education through the church should be enhanced among the locals.