Abstract/Overview
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice that involves the partial or total removal of the external female genital organ for cultural reasons. This practice condemned by the Kenyan government because of its negative effects on the girl child is still persistence in the Kuria ethnic group. This study focused on the factors promoting FGM practice amongst the girls in Kuria west sub-county. The specific objectives were; to analyse the prevalence rate of FGM in Kuria West; to assess the social cultural factors that contribute to the continuity of FGM practice in Kuria West sub-county, and to examine the challenges in addressing FGM. The cultural lag theory of sociology by William F. Ogburn was the underlying theoretical perspective of this study to explain the phenomenon focusing explicitly on the fact that all parts of the culture do not change at the same pace. Descriptive survey design was employed in this study. The study population was 20435 girls in public schools and a sample size of 400 girls as per Glenn Israel's method of determining sample was obtained through simple random sampling, 17 key informants were obtained through purposive sampling. Household questionnaires and FGDs were used to obtain data from 400 children while interview schedules were used on 17 key informants. Quantitative data collected through closed ended questionnaires and documents was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of percentages, frequencies, counts and means. Qualitative data obtained was analysed on the on-going process as themes and sub-themes emerge from the data. This study shows that FGM prevalence rate in Kuria West was 84.5%, deep rooted culture, no right to make choices and lack of knowledge on the negative effects of FGM contributed to the continuity of FGM, Culture, confusing religious messages, low level of education, corrupt government officials, find ambiguous laws were the challenges faced in the fight against FGM. The study highlights the partnership that needs to be established between religious leaders, educationalists, the government and non-governmental institutions to end this practice. In this study, it is recommended that the community be involved in the fight against FGM to reduce the prevalence rate, the government to put plans and programmes to empower the Kuria community so that they adopt alternative rites of passage, and capacity build all the key players in the fight against FGM to enable them overcome the challenges The findings will be useful to the government and other stakeholders as a base to institute intervention programmes to protect girls from FGM