Gender Based Violence (GBV) is an alarming reality and is defined as violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately”, thereby underlining that violence against women is not something occurring to women randomly, but rather an issue affecting them because of their gender. One form of GBV that is affecting girls and women around the world, is Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
What is FGM?
FGM is the cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia. FGM, just like circumcision for boys, is rooted in tradition and shares many of the same aspects of is in fact incredibly harmful leading to a myriad of health problems or even death.
What are the different forms of FGM?
- Type I: Clitoridectomy – the partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or its prepuce.
- Type II: Excision – the partial or total removal of the clitoris and labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora.
- Type III: Infibulation or pharaonic – the most severe form. This procedure consists of narrowing the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting the labia minora and/or labia majora, with or without removal of the clitoris. The wound is then stitched with a small opening left for urine and menstrual blood. An infibulation must be opened either through penetrative sexual intercourse or surgery.
- Type IV: This type consists of all other procedures to the genitalia of women for non-medical purposes, such as pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterization.
What are the effects of FGM?
For the physical effects, severe pain and bleeding, shock, difficulty in passing urine, infections and injury to genital tissue are common. Death due to severe bleeding is also a reality and many young girls have lost their lives in this manner. In the long run, infections, scarring and complications during pregnancy and delivery are some of the consequences of FGM. Sexual pleasure is also severely diminished, and depending on the type of FGM, can be frequently painful.
There are also psychological effects, as the girls are held down during the procedure. Post traumatic stress disorder is common as a consequence of going through what is essentially a painful and traumatic experience.
What is the reality of FGM in Kenya?
FGM has been a cultural practice for various communities in Kenya for generations, but like all traditions that are found to be harmful, it has been on the decline. Most communities that practiced FGM have stopped over time, but there are still some communities that have held on to the practice.
In recognition of the global standards of human rights, Kenya has recognized through the law, that FGM is a harmful practice, and a form of gender-based violence. FGM in Kenya became illegal for minors through the Children’s Act in 2002, and for all in 2011 through the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act. It’s also mentioned in the Sexual Offences Act and Human Trafficking Act.
Even with all these laws, enforcement has been an issue. Because FGM is so embedded in the culture of the communities who practice it, simply banning is not 100% effective. In fact, Kenya is now 3rd in Africa behind Egypt and Sudan, when it comes to cases of medicalization of FGM, which is when a health-care provider performs FGM whether in a public or private clinic, at home or elsewhere. Cross-border cutting, which is when girls are taken out of their home country to undergo FGM in another country, is also on the rise.
Girls that resist FGM are ostracized from the community including not finding marriage partners, which is a form of social pressure. Others are forcibly taken through it, which leads to trauma. FGM also leads to girls dropping out of school, teen pregnancy and early marriage as the girls are told their women and take up adult roles.
What is the work being done to end FGM in Kenya?
Those working on the ground with communities such as Amref Health Africa, have realised that the best way to end FGM is to involve the community in the process. Rather than threatening community members with criminal proceedings, holding discussions and trainings to educate and empower the community to address FGM, is a better route.
To that end, Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) is being promoted. ARP involves all the rites and traditions as well as life skills education, without the cut. There are many success stories from ARP, one of them being Kilonito in Kajiado County. I visited them and was impressed by how active the community is in working to end FGM.
How can you get involved/support the work to eradicate FGM in Kenya?
December is cutting season and many girls are in danger of having their lives cut short due to FGM. To help stop this, be an Amref Health Africa in Kenya partner, and make a donation to M-Pesa Paybill number 890750, Account name – ENDFGM.
You can also follow the conversations on Twitter on @Amref_Kenya and on the hashtags #ChangeHerStory and #CuttingSeason.