Female circumcision its persistence among the Abagusii of Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the reasons behind the continued practice of female circumcision, This practice has been discouraged in the past but some communities in Kenya have continued practicing it despite the mounting pressure to abandon the practice. For instance, the surgical operation and the associated rituals have been regarded as harmful to the physical and psychological well-being of the initiates. This has made little impact on this traditional practice. The practice of female circumcision has lived for some millennia and is believed to have started in ancient Egypt. One of the aims of this study was determine whether female circumcision was still prevalent and intact as it used to be in traditional times. A further concern was to establish what forces had sustained it and whether it served the same functions as it did in the traditional society. It was also important to determine whether those who practised female circumcision were aware of its implications to health, and if so, whether these discouraged this practise. The impact of the ban and the sensitization campaigns which had been launched against the practice were also examined. A field study that was aimed at fulfilling the study objectives outlined above was carried out in Kisii District which is among the category of 'highest in prevalence'. Samples of both urban and rural Kisii were selected using the cluster sampling method. More than 200 households were selected using stratified random sampling method. The household was the unit of analysis and the views of the mother represented those of the household. More primary data were generated using key informants, direct observations and focus group discussions. The data analysed into cumulative frequencies and percentages using simple statistical techniques. These were synthesized into tables and were used as a basis for explaining the cause of the continued practise of female circumcision. The major fmdings showed that the practice was equally prevalent in both rural and urban samples. The Abagusii were determined to continue practising female circumcision. Moreover, the surgical operation, the accompanying ceremonies, rituals, and education had changed significantly. Other parts of the ritual had been left out altogether. The traditional roles of providing prestige, status,and stamina tests to the initiates were not applicable beyond the participant's horizon. It did not work towards national cohesiveness. The practice was reinforced and sustained by social pressure. One of the main findings of the study was that several people were awarethat female circumcision could cause health problems to the initiates but were not aware of the extent of the harm. The damage made to their health did not warrant their decisions against the practice, which they felt was transcendental, and could be passed on to their children. Consequently, there existed a traditional explanation for every ailment or complication that affected the initiates after the surgical operation. The study further revealed that the Abagusii are aware of the campaigns that had been launched against the practice of female circumcision. However, many of them felt that the practice was discouraged without a valid reason. Health as a basis for discouraging the practice was not seriously considered. They asserted that the practice had existed since time immemorial, even during the time when hospitals to nurse the sick were non-existent. It did not affect the initiates. It was predicted that it will take long before the practice was abandoned.This period could be shortened if the government was stringent on ...•- discouraging the practice. Subsequently, those who practise should be given plausible reasons for abandoning the customary practice. It was concluded that since those who practise female circumcision were determined to continue, they may do so, but on condition that they take appropriate precautions to protect the health of those circumcised. It was recommended, for example, that the circumcisers should be trained on the art and be required to use sterile kits and devices. Other recommendations were that: campaigns should educate people about the primary and secondary complications that result from the operation.; and the traditional education component should be promoted. Areas which needed further research included the question whether there was a relationship between clitoridectomy and female libido. The results would establish whether teenage girls who are in school could be provided with contraceptives, to avert teenage pregnancies as well as information to help them discourage the practice of female circumcision