Effects of female genital mutilation on the Maasai community of Ntashart location

Abstract

This cross-sectional and descriptive study was designed to assess the effects of female genital mutilation. The field work was carried out in Ntashart Location, Ngong Division, and Kajiado District. The study sought to realize both the factors working for and against FGM as well as general effects and ways of eradicating FGM among the women of Maasai community. A total of 60 females were systematically randomly sampled and interviewed. The data and information for this study were obtained through library research, interviews, focus group discussions, survey and key informants. Then, data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively and the information presented in tables, figures, charts and notes. The study findings revealed that FGM is still widely practiced among Maasai community irrespective of some efforts put forward by the government and other parties. It also shows that young girls, who form the majority of the population, are forced into FGM, drop out of school early and get married while they haven't matured. During the cutting and afterwards, these young girls suffer from various effects among them are, excessive bleeding, anemia, difficulty in urinating, problems with child birth that at times cause deaths if measures are not taken in time. Therefore it is recommended that all the concerned parties including the government, civil societies, NGOs, learning institutions, development agencies, should harmonize their approaches so that a common and an acceptable policy, approach and methodology is used. Capacity building and empowerment should begin right from primary levels of education, to the community and information should be made available to all the societies practicing FGM in Kenya.