Thesis:

Assessment of anti-female genital mutilation strategies on Social inclusion: a survey of women in Migori county, Kenya

The practice of Female Genital Mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is widespread globally with aan estimated two hundred (200) million girls in just 30 countries having undergone FGM with 44% of them aged at least 15 years, and 3 million at risk every year. FGM/C has posed deleterious health consequences to girls and women, including death, and but it also increases their risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. The Kenyan prevalence is at 21% with policies seen as out of tune to the deeper FGM/C contexts, including alternative rites of passage which still hasn’t deterred FGM perpetrators from clinging to the practice. The objectives of this study were; to examine the extent to which policy factors affect social inclusion among women in Migori County, to evaluate the effect of personal factors on social inclusion among women in Migori County, to examine the effect of community factors on social inclusion of women in Migori County and to explore alternative anti-FGM strategies that respond to social inclusion among the women of Migori County. The study population was women 15-64 years old in Migori county who have undergone FGM or alternative rites of passage. The study used mixed approach methodology with a descriptive design, in Migori County, primarily targeting 324 women who have undergone FGM/C or alternative rites of passage, and 15 men, opinion leaders, policy makers and other interest groups. Key findings were, that prevalence of FGM/C stands at 44% among the respondents, with parents, especially mothers influencing the daughters to undergo the cut at 64.8%. The study proposes increase in public awareness campaigns to educate the public and key stakeholders on FGM/C and the effects on women, advocacy for non-discrimination and social inclusion of affected women to enjoy full rights and dignity, a review and harmonization of existing legislation and enforcement mechanisms to enhance the protection of girls and women against FGM/C and strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration and holistic approaches to facilitate alternative rites of passage. In conclusion, the study calls for to all stakeholders to work together and ensure protection of rights and dignity of women who choose not to undergo the harmful practice.