In Kisii and Nyamira Counties the prevalence rate currently is at 95% tying with Kuria Sub-County, being second after Somali. FGM means Female Ge***al Mutilation but communities practicing it call it female initiation to adulthood (circumcision). It is done to young girls to prepare them to womanhood. It involved incising the female ge***alia (Cl****is) with the intension of arresting the sexual d
esire in women. So, all community women are expected to undergo this rite of passage before getting married, those who haven’t are ostracized. If a woman has not undergone this rite as she gives birth to her first child the women in-charge make sure they have circumcised her. Circumcision is very important among the Abagusii and many other African societies as a rite of passage for both males and females. This rite involves the cutting of the fo****in of boys and the female ge***alia for the girls. For the boys, it is actually a healthy practice which has proved to be of clinical value to them (…………………………)
As for the girls, the original intention was to arrest female sexual desire which was thought to be untamable. So, the system was devised which was to contain the same. Ceremonies and other cultural activities were developed to root it to the community. Due to patriarchal nature of the society then, the female folk were forced to bear the brunt of FGM. It was equated with male circumcision to show some form of equity. Culturally, FGM is so entrenched to the point of making the girls feel so traumatized if not circumcised. As years have passed, efforts are being made to reclaim the women from this agonizing experience. Many groups associations, NGO’s and other government agencies have been involved in intervening to stop this practice but have not borne sufficient fruits to bring to an end this practice. The effort so far has done some commendable jobs but more still need to be done on the same to avoid a situation of retrogression. This is due to the resistance to stoppage experienced even among the elites who were thought to have known the negative effects of FGM. It is even proved that those have campaigned against FGM are actually doing it secretly. The reason being cultural exclusiveness of the uncircumcised and lack of an alternative rite of passage for those who have not undergone FGM. Cultural intervention mechanisms are necessary to break this as has been done in other societies. A case in point is what has been done in Finland where the government has introduced an acculturation method of initiation rites involving both boys and girls. The girls are initiated without involving FGM. In Finland, girls undergo a rite called: Rippijuhlat
It is a confirmation of girls into womanhood translated thus:
Rippijuhlat mean Confirmation
If the young members of the Lutheran church, he will have confirmation classes at the age of 15. After the confirmation class is a confession to a party. Confirmation Celebrations are usually at home. Relatives and friends will bring the young flowers and gifts. When it's gone confirmation class, get an adult to go to church to get married and have a child sponsor. This makes the efforts put in place bear little fruits out of it. The reason for the above scenario is the culture nature of exclusiveness of these who are uncircumcised. So, culture has entrenched female ge***al mutilation, so as cultural intervention mechanisms are necessary. It’s upon this window that ( ) have come up with a mechanism which seeks among other to:
a) To provide intervention mechanism which are cultural in nature; that is to supply a new initiation rite which can be entranced as a cultural practice. b) To involve important cultural members of the community who are to be used as role models to promote the new initiative. c) En-culture it in the community-land also legalizes it. d) Involve important community leaders to spearhead the war against this practice.
- MCAs political and opinion leaders
- MPs
e) Seek to look for ways of bringing in an alternative which will take over the practice. f) Involve all community members will articulate the real life issues upon these young girls.
