Factors Influencing the Persistence of Female Genital Mutilation Among the Maasai Community: Acase Study of Maili 46 Location, Kajiado West County

Abstract

The number of girls and women who have had FGM is estimated at 200 million worldwide, but the prevalence of the procedure is rising as the world's population expands. In Kenya, female genital mutilation occurs among several ethnic groups and in more than half of the country's locations. The study sought to identify the customs that lead to the persistence of FGM, ascertain the methods used to address the issue of FGM, identify the factors to an effective campaign against female genital mutilation and ascertain the influence of social pressure on FGM among the Maasai of Maili 46 location in Kajiado West County. This research used the Feminist theory and the structural functionalism perspective to help understand the different roles in different systems and ways of defending women's rights in a community concerning female genital mutilation: this was a case study. The research involved a descriptive sample method incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods. A survey comprising 102 respondents was collected using simple systematic and purposeful sampling strategies was used. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches have been used in the execution of this analysis. Various descriptive statistics, including mean scores and standard deviations for frequency distributions and percentages, were used to examine the data using SPSS. According to the research, women are still held in high regard in their culture after having undergone FGM. It also found out that there are some cultural activities like food and drink handling and marriage rites practices that only women who have undergone FGM are involved in thus influencing the practice greatly. The majority of the respondents confidently confirmed that despite stiff measures implemented by the Government on the practice, underground practices are rampant in the area and propelled by factors like social pressure and cultural obligation. It was noted that FGM is tied to other major cultural practices such as marriage and thus it's deeply rooted in the society hence creating a huge problem in eradicating the menace. The study found that social pressure was in two ways, between the age sets and down to the kin so putting pressure on the girls to fit in society and to be respected one had to be circumcised. The study suggests that there is a need for organizations to work together with different partners to implement women's and young girl's privileges through trainings and education on culture, training on existing arrangements and laws is important, a progressively extreme discipline ought to be taken against those that are for FGM and education to men on FGM should be included since they are the greatest impediment in the fight against FGM.