Thereafter, denied opportunity to go on with schooling and instead married off. The kenya national committee on traditional practices, founded in 1990, had as one of its objectives to carry out research into which ethnic groups practice fgmfgc. The united nations estimates more than 200 million girls and women around the world suffer the. As fgm is less prevalent among younger women according to city university london in 2015, this suggested a decline in the practice. Health impacts of female genital mutilationcutting. In our mixed community, the practice of female genital mutilation fgm or cuttingis common.
Prohibition of female genital mutilation 5 issue 1 no. Female genital mutilation fgm is a widespread health risk and violation of the rights of women and girls in many african countries including ethiopia. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is most common in western, eastern and northwestern regions in africa, some countries in asia and the middle east. The 2014 kenya demographic and health survey dhs estimated the national prevalence of fgm to be 21% among women age 1549, down from 27% in the 200809 survey and 32 percent in the 2003 survey. A profile of female genital mutilation in kenya reliefweb. Female genital mutilation fgm, also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision, is the ritual cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia.
Kenya researched and compiled by the refugee documentation centre of ireland on 8 october 2009. Underlying sociocultural practices influencing prevalence. Female genital mutilation and child marriage unicef kenya. Female genital mutilation fgm is the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilation practices in kenya feed the minds. Its also known as female circumcision or cutting, but has. In maasai community,young girls below age 10 years are subjected to horrific cultural practice of female genital mutilationcutting, fgmc, as rite of passage from childhood to womanhood. Information on the current situation and treatment of women in relation to fgm.
The rp focuses on the afar region where the worst form of fgm is being practiced in ethiopia. In kenya, a local event will be held in garissa county, northeastern kenya, under a localized theme working together to end fgm in kenya by 2030. An act of parliament to prohibit the practice of female genital mutilation, to safeguard against violation of a persons mental or physical integrity. In kenya, 21% of women admit that they are circumcised. Female genital mutilationcutting fgm c is most common in western, eastern and northwestern regions in africa, some countries in asia and the middle east. Nov 03, 2015 the cutting room is grim, dark and grubby. In rural areas, it is a rite of passage for a maturing girl. In kenya, a mother leads the movement to stop fgm in her. Your esa letter is going to be respected by airlines, landlords, and so on, but only as long as its supported through an actual, statelicensed doctor. Descriptive statistics from four waves of demographic and health surveys. Box 2800209, loitokitok, kenya 1 school of nursing sciences, university of nairobi, p. Kenyan cutter says female genital mutilation is her livelihood this article is more than 6 years old margaret, who has put more girls through fgm than she can remember, says cutters ask her how. Women in leadership positions in kenya in 2015 33 boxes box 1.
Today is the international day of zero tolerance for fgm female genital mutilation. It is the practice of cutting off a girls external genitalia for nonmedical reasons. Show the leaflet to your family and keep it with you at all times. Pdf an overview of female genital mutilation in nigeria. Knowledge and attitude on obstetric effects of female genital. Fgm a statement opposing female genital mutilation download below this might be of help if your family or community put pressure on you to arrange fgm for your daughter. If you are travelling abroad with your daughter take a copy of the scottish government leaflet. Asylum sample declaration past fgm and forced marriage. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from countries in which fgm is common. Rachel shebesh leads a delegation from the ministry and anti fgm board in a consultative forum with tharaka nithi county administrators on the implementation of president directive of ending fgm by 2022.
In northeastern kenya, the somali community has the highest prevalence of fgm. Worldwide, nigeria has the highest absolute number of known cases of female genital mutilation fgmapproximately 25% of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in. Ashenafi moges through out history, culture tradition has been invoked to justify abhorrent and inhuman practices. The work will positively impact womens health and economics as fgm can lead to early marriage and an abrupt end to schooling. The ministry of health has also published a reference manual. The permanent mission of the republic of kenya to the united nations office in. The partial or total removal of the clitoris andor the area surrounding and protecting the. Feb 07, 2014 kenyan cutter says female genital mutilation is her livelihood this article is more than 6 years old margaret, who has put more girls through fgm than she can remember, says cutters ask her how. In kenya, the prevalence of fgmc amongst girls and women aged 15.
Over 100 million circumcisions have already been performed in africa alone. An estimated 3 million girls are thought to undergo the fgm c every year 3. Percentage of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have undergone fgm c 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 1 2 3 3 8 18 39 46 49 57 63 74 niger cameroon benin iraq united republic anzania kenya chad guineabissau somalia djibouti guinea eritrea mali sources. Jan 18, 2018 female genital mutilation fgm is a global problem. The active public discussion on the eradication of female genital mutilation fgm in kenya has been ongoing since the late 1990s.
Not only is it practiced among communities in africa and the middle east, but also in immigrant communities throughout the world. Fgm is when a females genitals are deliberately altered or removed for nonmedical reasons. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a global concern. Were here to support you and have advice to help you keep children and young people safe from fgm. But one tradition female genital mutilation fgm, also known as cutting or female circumcision can be deadly. Knowledge and attitude on obstetric effects of female genital mutilation among maasai women in maternity ward at loitokitok subcounty hospital, kenya keddy wanjiru muchene irene gacheri mageto 0 1 joyce jebet cheptum 1 curt w. Knowledge and attitude on obstetric effects of female. Women in leadership positions in kenya in 2011 33 figure 2. Three million more african girls are at risk every year. Paged prohibition of female genital mutilation act no. A sizeable body of evidence has developed over the past three decades on the direct health impacts of fgmc. Shifts in female genital mutilationcutting in kenya.
The rp examines how fgm is perpetuated in afar by looking at the role played by the community par. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc is a cultural practice associated with health consequences, women rights and deprivation of dignity. Kenyan cutter says female genital mutilation is her livelihood. Female genital mutilation fgm download ebook pdf, epub. Fgm which has been in existence across africa for over 2000 years, it is hard to assess measures of progress. Female genital mutilation fgm is one of the most harmful traditions still practiced in many parts of the developing world, including kenya. Exploring barriers to seeking health care among kenyan. In kenya, 40% of girls and women still undergo female genital mutilation fgm, even though it is now illegal. In kenya, the prevalence of fgm c amongst girls and women aged 15.
This study will describe female genital mutilation in kenya and alternative ways of encouraging abandonment of female genital mutilation in kenya. Some of the reasons given for the continued practice of fgm include. Dhs, mics, national social protection monitoring survey and shhs, 19972012. Every girl and woman has the right to be protected from this harmful practice, a manifestation of. The difficulties of ending female genital mutilation fgm. In maasai community,young girls below age 10 years are subjected to horrific cultural practice of female genital mutilationcutting, fgm c, as rite of passage from childhood to womanhood. I travelled there with a group of my university students to learn more about the cultural tradition of female genital mutilation fgm.
Communities such as the maasai, somali, kisii and samburu bear the brunt of this violation that was declared illegal in the 2011 prohibition of fgm act. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc has been described as the partial or total removal of the female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other nontherapeutic reasons. It is also an offence for a uk national or uk resident even in countries where fgm is not illegal to. Traditions are strong among the pokot people of northwest kenya. The prevalence of fgm in 2014 varied widely by age, location, ethnic group, and religion. An estimated 3 million girls are thought to undergo the fgmc every year 3. The practice is prevalent across the world with an estimated 100140 million girls and women forcibly circumcised 2,4. The kenya national committee on traditional practices, founded in 1990, had as one of its objectives to carry out research into which ethnic groups practice fgm fgc. In kenya, the prevalence of fgm in women aged 1549 is 21%. It works in collaboration with other groups on this issue.
Kurian people have one of the highest fgm rates in kenya. Jan 27, 2017 in kenya, 21% of women admit that they are circumcised. Underlying sociocultural practices influencing prevalence of. Evidence to end fgmc is led by the population council, nairobi, in partnership with the africa coordinating centre for the abandonment of female genital mutilationcutting accaf, kenya. Female genital mutilation fgm is a violation of human rights. Worldwide, nigeria has the highest absolute number of known cases of female genital mutilation fgm approximately 25% of the estimated 115 million circumcised women in the world okeke. More than one hundred million women living in africa have undergone the painful procedure of female genital mutilation fgm, a practice that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs. During august and december, many girls undergo what is known in kenya as female circumcision. The national committee was reorganized to become the kenya national council on traditional practices knctp. Despite fgmcrelated health consequences, circumcised women may encounter additional challenges while seeking interventions for reproductive health problems. Tradition covers the most enduring enemies of a womans dignity and security and aims at preserving male dominance and female subjugation.
This project has provided additional documentation in a pdf file projdoc. The 2011 ban made the practice and capture of young girls for female genital mutilation fgm in kenya illegal, but it is still widespread even though research indicates a 20% drop in the practice. The practice of female genital mutilationcutting fgmc, once the. Female genital mutilation performed in kenya although its. The constitutional reform process in kenya key milestones 19. Rescue 10,000 kenyan girls at risk of horrific fgm globalgiving. The supposed women, at onset of puberty, begin to bear children and manage homes.
We do not celebrate national holidays, and my family does not have many friends who are purely. Tradition covers the most enduring enemies of a womans dignity and security and aims at. Kenyan cutter says female genital mutilation is her. The prevalence of female circumcision varies widely by background characteristics. Several years ago, he was beaten and his leg broken when he tried to protect one young girl who had run away from home to avoid undergoing fgm. Percentage of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years who have undergone fgmc 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 1 2 3 3 8 18 39 46 49 57 63 74 niger cameroon benin iraq united republic anzania kenya chad guineabissau somalia djibouti guinea eritrea mali sources. This baseline study report on female genital mutilationcutting fgmc and child marriage among the rendille, maasai, pokot, samburu and somali communities in kenya is the outcome of extensive interviews and discussions with community members including community leaders, representatives of young people and women in the target subcounties and. The practice is found in africa, asia and the middle east, and within communities from. The context of female genital mutilationcutting in kenya 6 3.
According to the kenya demographic and health surveys kdhs 20082009, on average, 27% of females had undergone fgm, a decline from 32% in 2003 and 38% in 1998. First national conference on fgm held at kenya institute of curriculum development from 6th 8th february 2018. Fraying gray ropes are set into the rough dirt floor, and a curtain flutters at the open door. Kenya researched and compiled by the refugee documentation. Click download or read online button to get female genital mutilation fgm book now.
Mentoring for kenyas marginalized girls benefits, challenges, and policies. Cast your eye upon these glorious colours worn by a group of maasai women i met in kenya recently. In 1999, the ministry of health launched a national plan of action for the elimination of female circumcision, particularizing the governments commitment to ending the practice. According to the kenya demographic and health surveys kdhs 20082009, on average, 27% of females had undergone fgm, a decline from 32% in 2003 and.
This baseline study report on female genital mutilationcutting fgmc and child marriage among the rendille, maasai, pokot, samburu and somali communities in kenya is the outcome of extensive interviews and discussions with community members including community leaders, representatives of young people and women in the target subcounties and divisions, national government ministries. If fgm is committed against a girl under the age of 16, each person who is responsible for the girl at the time the fgm occurred could be guilty of the offence of failing to protect her from the risk of fgm. The national prevalence of fgm in kenya stands at 21 per cent, according to the 2014 kenya demographic health survey. Female genital mutilation is prevalent in the gambia. Fgm is a lifethreatening procedure that involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia. Chief administrative secretary for public service, youth, and gender, hon. This country report into fgm across kenya shows fgm in 1549 year olds reducing from 37. Moreover, recent data reveal that it occurs on a much larger scale than previously thought. Letter is going to be emailed in a pdf file with regular processing.
The united nations estimates more than 200 million girls and women around the world suffer the consequences of cutting procedure. Dec 23, 2016 kurian people have one of the highest fgm rates in kenya. Spatial modelling and mapping of female genital mutilation. Female genital mutilationcutting fgmc continues to be a threat to womens and girls health and human rights globally. Pdf female genital mutilation in kenya researchgate. This is measurable progress and around 10% over 10 years. Laws of kenya prohibition of female genital mutilation act no. In terms of percentage of girls and women affected, kenya ranks 17 out of 29 countries in africa that carry out the practice, but the numbers are decreasing over time.
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