The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a harmful traditional custom and rite of passage for many young girls in Kenya today. The consequences are horrific.
Remember, there are no health benefits or reasons for FGM. The cutting is usually done without anaesthetic or antiseptics, leading to immense pain, frequently followed by infection, and in some cases massive loss of blood leading to death. Even if carried out by a health care provider (which has interesting ethics) FGM is harmful and a violation of human rights.
The impact is felt for life. Many women suffer regular discomfort and infections, subsequent childbirth can be compromised, and many endure emotional trauma, low self-image and humiliation.
And whilst the practice is illegal under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011, implementation remains a challenge and the number of prosecutions remains low; girls continue to be cut. The numbers affected vary from tribe to tribe and geographical area but overall it is estimated that 15% of all Kenyan women have undergone FGM according to a KDHS report in 2022, mostly before the age of fourteen. This is unacceptably high.
Overcoming this is clearly not as easy as passing a law. In some communities, especially rural areas relying on livestock, the practice remains tolerated largely because of the economic conditions in these areas. Sources of income are limited and so a young girl becomes a commodity that can be sold. Each girl attracts a bride price which can be as much as 30 goats or cows. This is a huge amount of money for a family with no regular source of income, surviving by subsistence farming or casual labour.
And a girl is only a valuable proposition if she has been cut. She has then been prepared for marriage.
The solution is therefore a combination of education, influencing, and economic opportunity. Much is focused on the empowerment of women, giving them the chance to become economically independent. But the men too must be educated and given opportunities to earn an income, as they drive the demand for FGM.
And of course, the government and authorities must be encouraged (or shamed) into enforcing the law.
This is not easy work and will take time and patience. Even women who have undergone FGM themselves, allow it for their daughters, even where they oppose the practice, they remain silent knowing that they face being ostracised for speaking out. And they witness the economic conditions around them. What options do they have?
These rural areas face regular water insecurity meaning that agriculture is inconsistent, and poor infrastructure means that crops and vegetables can only easily be taken to local markets, leading to over supply of the same products and low prices.
The good news is that there is amazing work being done to change minds and beliefs. Whilst it is not the core area for RRBF, we do know that education is a key part of the way forward. In West Pokot, it is estimated that there is 67% illiteracy.
Even more significantly, an education saves a girl from FGM. Especially if she attends boarding school, then she can be protected at the times of year when FGM is carried out. And perhaps more importantly, her education gives her more options for creating an income – meaning that her family will be less reliant in her price as a bride and therefore saving her from FGM.
We are working with two organisations in particular, supporting young girls with scholarships to secondary school.
Domtila Chesang of I-Rep works in West Pokot, in north west Kenya bordering Uganda, and recently produced a paper entitled ‘Exploring the persistence of FGM in West Pokot County, Kenya’ with King’s College London, presenting her findings in London on a panel alongside former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
You can get a copy of Domtila’s paper at https://bit.ly/FGMinWestPokot
and the presentation here https://bit.ly/KingsPanel
Bakhitah Akoth of Rise to Shine Education Foundation, is working with communities in Elgeyo Marakwet County, just to the south of West Pokot. Their programmes support young girls at risk of FGM and also provide skills training to help women become financially independent, with access to micro-loans so that they can set up their own ventures.
Domtila and Bakhitah are part of RRBF’s network of local contacts who identify children for our scholarships, and support them through their years in secondary school.
You can read more about their incredible work on their websites.