FGM - Advocacy Strategy For The Eradication Of Female Genital Mutilation In Kenya

Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO) has been implementing community education to accelerate the elimination of female circumcision as a barrier to women's rights, health and

Campaign against FGM

advancement . Female circumcision has negative consequences on the physical and psychological health of women. MYWO is addressing such gender-based issues that have negative reproductive health consequences.

In 1991, MYWO signed an agreement with the Population Crisis Committee (PCC) to carry out the survey on traditional practices that affect the health of the women and their children. MYWO carried out the research in four districts; Kisii, Meru, Narok and Samburu.

The study was specifically designed to:

• Collect data on three practices; female circumcision, child marriage and nutritional taboos that affect the health of the women and children in Kenya.
• Establish an information baseline on these traditional practices that affect the health of women in the selected areas.
• Identify topical areas to follow-up further in focus group (qualitative research) to assist in the design of an educational strategy/intervention.
• Provide data that can be used by policy makers in the areas of law, health and education as appropriate.

The study found that 89.6% of the women in the four districts has undergone various types of circumcision. The operation is usually done on girls aged between 8-13 years but occasionally on older or younger girls. It is usually performed by traditional circumcisor in the village or bush using unsterilized instrument like razor blade or traditional knives. This study confirmed that FGM continues widely as it is perceived to be an important aspect of a girl’s social, moral and physical development, allowing passage from girlhood to womanhood, bestowing respectability on her and generally permits her to be a fully participating member of the society.

On the basis of these findings MYWO designed a package of suitable IEC interventions for each district. All activities planned for the initial phase of implementation were developed based on the findings of the MYWO research studies and included a variety of innovative community education and mobilization approaches. These include:

• community debates and discussions;
• school education;
• home visits;
• alternative rituals;
• modern and traditional media;
• the use of role models and peer education.

The project plan was developed by MYWO together with local branches of MYWO. It was designed to utilize and strengthen the existing MYWO structure as far as possible. Implementation of the project is carried out by MYWO project staff and volunteers who, with guidance from the headquarters, work with community change agents, schools, other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government ministries; such as Health and Education.

Each  of the four districts has a project coordinator who works closely with the MYWO field worker, MYWO members, volunteers and community groups. A project manager, who coordinates the entire project, and a programme assistant manager are based at the MYWO head office.

The project plan includes activities which are implemented at national and district level. At the national level activities include:

• overall programme planning;
• networking;
• recruitment and training of district staff;
• curriculum and materials development;
• national awareness raising and advocacy seminars;
• national media outreach and advocacy;
• monitoring and supervision.

District activities focus on community mobilization and sensitization, such as:

• the organization of meetings with different social groups and include awareness campaigns in the districts;
• identification of community change agents;
• training of peers and volunteers;
• development of alternative rituals and practices.

These activities are undertaken by the district teams with guidance from the national MYWO/FORD Foundation team. The foundation has made financial contributions and technical support to the FGM eradication project as part of its efforts to promote women’s health.

Women and girls are the primary target groups and beneficiaries of the project. However, to enhance the effectiveness of the project, there is need to reach other equally influential sub-groups such as opinion leaders, men, youth (both in school and out of school) as well as circumcisors and medical practitioners (both modern and traditional). Target group segmentation is based on the specific situation of each district, including age and focus.

Achievements

The programme has expanded to four new districts; Nyambene,Tharaka Nithi, Muranga and Nandi districts.

The overall goal of the project is to bring about behaviour change so as to eliminate FGM. The project has influenced many individuals, families, opinion leaders, organizations and institutions (the church, local administration, schools, the ministries of Health and education, the legal system, parliament, the media and MYWO itself) which all have great importance and influence in the society and have responded positively and joined in the activities that are being undertaken as illustrated by the following:

• In each district there are individuals and families who have said no to female circumcision. The foundation for change has been laid.
• FGM has been debated in parliament. The project has also stimulated debate on the issue from grassroots to national level.
• The project has also influenced media groups knowledge and perceptions on the issue of FGM and its coverage has increased during the years.
• Schools have embraced the project positively.
• Change agents have been able to sensitize other community members in various settings such as home visits, churches and women group meetings.
• People are seeking information about FGM as indicated by visits to project offices for information, demands for visits from the unsesitized areas, demand for return visits and enquiries from other countries, researchers and projects.