Assessment of international laws on female genital mutilation and its implications on the east African region: a case study of Namanga, Kenya-Tanzania border.

Abstract

The study has assessed the impact of international laws on Female Genital Mutilation in the fight against the Cross-Border FGM in the study area, which is Namanga Township and the surrounding villages on both sides of the Kenyan-Tanzanian border. The main purpose of the study has been to investigate the application of international, regional and national laws in the fight against Cross-Border FGM which has over time, faced jurisdictional challenges that requires collective regional and diplomatic approaches. The study’s objectives were; to assess the efficacy of international laws on Female Genital Mutilation in East Africa, to evaluate the impact of Cross-Border FGM on women empowerment and to evaluate the trends of Cross-Border FGM and factors undermining the fight against the practice at Namanga Border. According to Kenya Demographic and Health Survey report of 2014, the prevalence rate of FGM among the inhabitants of the study area was at 78%. The statistics and geographical location of the area of study ideal was ideal for the researcher to undertake the research on FGM which has adopted a transnational aspect in efforts by perpetrators to circumvent the legal regime in place. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approach. Qualitative research method focused on understanding the underlying reasons and motivations behind cross-border FGM by perpetrators and their victims, while quantitative data approach dealt with structured data collection approaches which involved the use of face to face interviews and filling of questionnaires. The data collected was compiled and arranged into easily interpretable formats by the use of charts, tables and graphs.