Fgm is a lifethreatening procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia. According to the kenya demographic and health surveys kdhs 20082009, on average, 27% of females had undergone fgm, a decline from 32% in 2003 and 38% in 1998. Percentage of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have undergone fgm c 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 1 2 3 3 8 18 39 46 49 57 63 74 niger cameroon benin iraq united republic anzania kenya chad guineabissau somalia djibouti guinea eritrea mali sources. Several years ago, he was beaten and his leg broken when he tried to protect one young girl who had run away from home to avoid undergoing fgm. It is in the ministry of public service, youth and gender affairs. The 2008 kdhs used a multistage stratified random sampling plan to select women of reproductive age 1549 years and asked questions concerning their fgmc status and their support for the continuation of fgmc. Someone told us that our parents or circumcisers are not strong enough to run like young people, nancy said, speaking to iwpr shortly after her.
Participation in events leading to female genital mutilation. Thirtyseven of the 42 tribal communities among the maasai in kenya still practice female genital mutilation. Fgm which has been in existence across africa for over 2000 years, it is hard to assess measures of progress. Article 2 of the fgm act 2011 clearly defines fgm as zall procedures involving partial or total removal of the female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs, or any harmful. The operation is still regarded as the very essence of an institution. This is measurable progress and around 10% over 10 years. The kenya demographic and health survey kdhs, 2014 shows that 21 per cent of. Ending fgm and child marriage in kenya plan international. In samburu, where josephat and his family live, 86% of girls and women undergo fgm. An act of parliament to prohibit the practice of female genital mutilation, to safeguard against violation of a persons mental or physical integrity. Female circumcision is a rare practice in kenya, though in cases like kisii in kenya, it is still practiced. The christmas holiday has always been the longest school holiday in kenya lasting 6 weeks at the least. Dhs, mics, national social protection monitoring survey and shhs, 19972012. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc continues to be a threat to womens and girls health and human rights globally.
Today is the international day of zero tolerance for fgm female genital mutilation. In kenya, 21% of women admit that they are circumcised. Furthermore, the secretary generals report, ending female genital mutilation ecn. Sharon, reconciles with her parents at tasaru rescue centre, narok, kenya paul munune wnn nairobi, kenya, east africa kenya is about to mark the international day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation fgm, at a time when the country has taken many steps forwards. It is estimated that between 100 and 140 million girls and women currently live with the most consequences of fgm, most of them in 28 african countries fgm in kenya has been on a decline 32% in 2003 and 21% in 2014prevalence has remained highest among the somali 97%, kisii 96%, kuria 96% and the.
Fgm is illegal in kenya but, at the age of 12, her aunt tricked her into leaving school one day so that elderly women in the village could carry out fgm on her. Al jazeera looks at the global practice and the efforts undertaken to end it. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. Dec 23, 2016 kurian people have one of the highest fgm rates in kenya. Without their hard work and contribution, it would have been impossible to hold such an event.
The practice is prevalent across the world with an estimated 100140 million girls and women forcibly circumcised 2,4. In kenya, a mother leads the movement to stop fgm in her. Global and national framing dynamics for fgm policies. The prohibition of female genital mutilation act, 2011 fgm act 2011,3 which came into effect on 4 october 2011, is the principal legislation governing fgm in kenya. I travelled there with a group of my university students to learn more about the cultural tradition of female genital mutilation fgm. Kenya battles female genital mutilation institute for war. To give a better picture of the importance of fgm in tradition, i would like to quote the late president of kenya, jomo kenyatta, a strong supporter of the tradition of fgm, who used the practice as a rallying point in his war of liberation. Before maasai girls in kenya and tanzania are married, they must undergo circumcision in a ceremony that 99 percent of the time is sponsored by their prospective suitors. Nancy is a 12yearold girl from kenyas maasai community living in the western rift valley. Abandonment of female genital mutilationcutting in kenya. In kenya, a local event will be held in garissa county, northeastern kenya, under a localized theme working together to end fgm in kenya by 2030. The national committee was reorganized to become the kenya national council on traditional practices knctp. The preferential age for the procedure used to be 15 now its done to 11yearolds.
More than 2,000 women and men from the maasai community gathered in kajiado, south of nairobi, on june 12 to protest against a 2011 law specifically banning fgm. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is still prevalent in several communities in kenya and other areas in africa, as well as being practiced by some migrants from african countries living in other parts of the world. Every year, female genital mutilation fgm scars thousands of young women and girls in kenya physically and emotionally, for life. It is the practice of cutting off a girls external genitalia for nonmedical reasons. This study will describe female genital mutilation in kenya and alternative ways of encouraging abandonment of female genital mutilation in kenya. In terms of percentage of girls and women affected, kenya ranks 17 out of 29 countries in africa that carry out the practice, but the numbers are decreasing over time. Kenyas director of public prosecution dpp says he suspects governmentappointed local chiefs were behind recent demonstrations against the criminalisation of female genital mutilation fgm.
The rp examines how fgm is perpetuated in afar by looking at the role played by the community par. Evidence to end fgmc is led by the population council, nairobi, in partnership with the africa coordinating centre for the abandonment of female genital mutilationcutting accaf, kenya. Courtesy despite a government ban, female genital mutilation fgm appears to be on the comeback. Traditions are strong among the pokot people of northwest kenya.
During august and december, many girls undergo what is known in kenya as female circumcision. The united nations estimates more than 200 million girls and women around the world suffer the consequences of cutting procedure. It is estimated that about million girls are currently living with the effects of fgm. Fgm in kenya has been on a decline 32% in 2003 and 21% in 2014. This country report into fgm across kenya shows fgm in 1549 year olds reducing from 37. Kurian people have one of the highest fgm rates in kenya.
Possession of instruments used in fgm is outlawed, as is failing to report the act. Kenyan cutter says female genital mutilation is her livelihood. Meet the warriors fighting fgm in kenya global citizen. The difficulties of ending female genital mutilation fgm. Although kenya has made strides in outlawing fgm, child marriage and protecting childrens rights, the practise is still rampant. Around 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation fgm. Kenyan cutter says female genital mutilation is her. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a global concern. Unfortunately, this is the time when many wounds need healing, some are looked forward to and are much wanted, but others are cruel. Though it was outlawed in kenya in 2001, many communities, such as the pokots and the maasai, continue to practice fgmfgc as an important rite of passage to womanhood. Under this legislation, anyone who conducts fgm, who pays someone else to perform the practice either in kenya or abroad, or who provides premises to carry it out, is guilty of an offence. It is a federal act and criminalises all forms of fgm, regardless of the age or status of a girl or woman. Pdf abandonment of female genital mutilation cutting in.
It works in collaboration with other groups on this issue. In 2011, another law was passed that specifically criminalises fgm. Earlier this month, she ran away from her family home in kajiado county just before she was due to undergo female genital mutilation fgm. The antifemale genital mutilation board herein after referred to as the board is a semi autonomous government agency that was established in december 20 following the enactment of the prohibition of female genital mutilation act, 2011.
In kenya, the prevalence is much lower 32,2%5 and highly concentrated on few ethnic groups somali, maasai, abagusii. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc has been described as the partial or total removal of the female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. Jan 27, 2017 in kenya, 21% of women admit that they are circumcised. Nairobi, kenya, 24 august 2006 in the north eastern province of kenya, unicef is helping communities abandon the practice of female genital mutilation fgm, or cutting, which is still inflicted upon the vast majority of girls in the province.
Fgm is a human rights violation that has a trickle effect on the countrys social, economic and political development. Accelerating abandonment of fgm in kenya documentary unicefkenya. In 1999, the ministry of health launched a national plan of action for the elimination of female circumcision, particularizing the governments commitment to ending the practice. Female genital mutilation fgm in kenya is also known as female circumcision. Female genital mutilation fgm is detrimental to the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of women and girls. Over 92 million female circumcisions have already been performed in africa alone. Fgm is illegal in kenya but, at the age of 12, her aunt tricked her into leaving school one day so that elderly women in. Fgm the numbers behind the people globally, at least 200 million girls and women have been cut and more than 30 million girls are at risk over the next decade. Fgm in kenya, female circumcision, female genital mutilation.
Percentage of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have undergone fgmc 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 1 2 3 3 8 18 39 46 49 57 63 74 niger cameroon benin iraq united republic anzania kenya chad guineabissau somalia djibouti guinea eritrea mali sources. In kenya, 40% of girls and women still undergo female genital mutilation fgm, even though it is now illegal. Descriptive statistics from four waves of demographic and health surveys. Kenyas ticking time bomb l people and power duration. Local kenyan chiefs in fgm controversy institute for war. Female genital mutilation fgm is a widespread health risk and violation of the rights of women and girls in many african countries including ethiopia. In northeastern kenya, the somali community has the highest prevalence of fgm. Accelerating abandonment of fgm in kenya documentary. Fgmc organized by the governments of italy, burkina faso and egypt at the 56th session of the commission on the status of women.
The uk is supporting an africanled movement to end fgm. Kenya leads globally on ending fgm, but challenges persist. Cast your eye upon these glorious colours worn by a group of maasai women i met in kenya recently. Paged prohibition of female genital mutilation act no.
A sizeable body of evidence has developed over the past three decades on the direct health impacts of fgmc. In kenya, fgm is a criminal offence under the prohibition of female. The kenya national committee on traditional practices, founded in 1990, had as one of its objectives to carry out research into which ethnic groups practice fgm fgc. Laws of kenya prohibition of female genital mutilation act no. Anti fgm board a society free from female genital mutilation. Jan 18, 2018 female genital mutilation fgm is a global problem. Health impacts of female genital mutilationcutting. Kenya battles female genital mutilation institute for.
It is estimated that between 100 and 140 million girls and women currently live with the most consequences of fgm, most of them in 28 african countries. Fraying gray ropes are set into the rough dirt floor, and a curtain flutters at the open door. Abandonment of female genital mutilation cutting in kenya, tanzania and senegal programmatic considerations data pdf available october 20 with 767 reads how we measure reads. According to 28toomany, fgm in kenya continues to be carried out predominantly by traditional circumcisers, for 74. But one tradition female genital mutilation fgm, also known as cutting or female circumcision can be deadly. Over 100 million circumcisions have already been performed in africa alone. The rp focuses on the afar region where the worst form of fgm is being practiced in ethiopia. Not only is it practiced among communities in africa and the middle east, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Mary wandia, a leading activist on end fgm campaign in kenya, has raised some concern over the increasing medicalisation of fgm in kenya in recent years, however, with claims that it has risen up to as. Spatial modelling and mapping of female genital mutilation. Therefore, we need to convey our appreciation to each one who played a key role before. Female genital mutilationcutting is a deeply rooted tradition, not only in kenya, but also in somalia, tanzania, uganda and some countries in west africa and the arab states. Legislation, particularly the criminalization of fgm, and other external pressures that do not take local culture into account can have deadly consequences. This study aimed at detecting clustering of fgmc in kenya, and identifying those areas within the country where women still intend to continue the practice.
Spatial modelling and mapping of female genital mutilation in. The prevalence of female circumcision varies widely by background characteristics. Kenya is considered a primary perpetrator of this inhumane. Female genital mutilation in kenya global observatory. Though it was outlawed in kenya in 2001, many communities, such as the pokots and the maasai, continue to practice fgm fgc as an important rite of passage to womanhood. Nov 03, 2015 the cutting room is grim, dark and grubby. The prevalence of fgmc was investigated using the 2008 kenya demographic and health survey kdhs data. The success of the global consultation on female genital mutilationcutting fgmc was the result of efforts of many distinguished persons and organizations. As president barack obama said during his recent visit to kenya, theres no reason that young girls should suffer genital mutilation this tradition has no place in the 21st century. Often motivated by cultural beliefs, fgm leads to early marriage and health complications and is forced upon girls aged seven to 12. Experiencing female genital mutilation jessica from kajiado county in kenya says she has never recovered from the trauma she experienced ten years ago.
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