Local Women Groups Preventative Initiatives in Addressing Female Genital Mutilation Practices: A Case for Kajiado South-Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The reasons for performing FGM vary from one context to another and in most cases; social cultural factors within families and communities will influence or contribute to the decision to cut. The main purpose of this study was to assess the influence of local women groups’ preventative initiatives on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practice in Kajiado South Sub County, Kajiado County. The study population was 45 registered women groups with an estimated number of 675 members. Purposive sampling approach was used to pick 30 percent of the women groups, leading to 18 registered women groups, each with a chairperson, hence a total of 18 chairpersons.  Each group had an estimated number of 15 members leading to a total of 270 members also selected through census approach. A sample size of 270 members was adopted through census approach. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview guide.  Quantitative data comprised descriptive (means, median and frequencies) and inferential analysis (Pearson chi-square correlation and simple linear regression) which was done with the help of the SPSS version 25. Qualitative data was presented in a narrative format and later incorporated into the existing quantitative data. Findings indicate a majority of the women interviewed 87.3% had been circumcised, and 36.5% of women indicated they were not aware of the FGM associated risks. At regression and correlation level, women education was found to have significant influence on reducing FGM practices. The study recommends that women groups and their preventative initiatives should be promoted and more sensitization provided to change the world view and belief system for women understand the dangers of FGM. Keywords: Women, Female Genital Mutilation, Preventative Initiatives, Education, Advocacy