Violation of Female Reproductive Rights A Case Study of Female Genital Mutilation in Amudat District, Karamoja Region

ABSTRACT 

The study aimed at investigating the violation of women’s reproductive rights: A case of Female Genital Mutilation in Amudat District. This was motivated by the fact that although there have been deliberate attempts and formulation of international and national instruments to encourage the Pokot community to discard the FGM practice, there seems to be persistent resistance to abandoning it, as evidenced by the number of females who undergo the practice. The study was guided by three objectives: (i) To identify and analyze the relevant human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights, (ii) identify the reasons for carrying out FGM in Amudat District and (iii) to find out the challenges faced in the implementation of human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights. An evaluation of a rights-based approach to FGM was also done. The study used a case study research design in which both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection were employed. The study population included females aged 14-25 (90) and opinion leaders from the elders (12), health workers, and Local Council I Leaders (6), whose gender was not predetermined. In all, 144 respondents were involved in the study. A research administered questionnaire, an interview guide and a focus group discussion guide were used to solicit data. The collected data was presented in frequency counts and score tables with varying percentages calculated. Interpretations and conclusions depended on the number of occurrences on each item. For qualitative data, a scheme of analysis was worked out following the coding categories, using content analysis, quotations and the most occurring ideas on every question. The study findings also revealed that though there were some levels of support for the eradication of FGM practice, it is unlikely to end. This is because society has cast a state of sacredness on FGM, especially by institutionalizing its norms and linking contravention of such norms to social disaster and loss of benefits to society. Regarding the use of national and international instruments on women’s reproductive rights, there were low levels of awareness, lack of social support, and lack of a practical law that would not complicate relationship elements with other tribes. There was also lack of structures and institutions to popularize the evils associated with FGM by according the victims some degree of special attention.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF ACRONYMS

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Background to the study 1

1.3 Statement of the problem 5

1.4 Objectives of the study

1.4.1 General objective 5

1.4.2 Specific objectives 6

1.5 Research hypotheses 6

1.6 Scope of the study 6

1.6.1 Geographical Scope 6

1.6.2 Time Scope 7

1.6.3 Content scope 7

1.7 Justification for the study 7

1.8 Significance of the study .8

1.9 Conceptual framework

1.10 Definition of key terms II

CHAPTER TWO 12

LITERATURE REVIEW 12

2.0 Introduction 12

2.1 The relevant human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights 12

2.2.1 International Instruments 12

2.2.2 Laws in other countries (Outside Africa) 16

2.2.3 Laws in African countries on FGM 18

2.3 Ugandan Constitutional provisions on FGM 20

2.4 Reasons for carrying out FGM practice 22

2.5 The challenges faced in the implementation of human rights instruments to c women’s reproductive rights 24

2.5.1 Women’s low social status 24

2.5.2 Resistance at the community level 25

2.5.3 Influence of strong cultures and traditions 25

2.5.4 Vulnerability of minority groups 26

2.5.5 Weak enforcement mechanism 26

2.5.6 General denial of reproductive health care 27

CHAPTER THREE 28

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 28

3.0 Introduction 28

3.1 Research design .28

3.3 Population of the study 28

3.4 Sample selection methods and size 29

3.4.1 Selection of communities 29

3.4.2 Selection ofrespondents 29

3.5 Research instruments 29

3.5.1 Research-administered questionnaires 29

3.5.2 Interview guides 29

3.5.3 Focus group discussion guide 30

3.5.4 Written documents 30

3.6 Procedure 30

3.7 Data analysis 30

3.7.1 Quantitative data analysis 30

3.7.2 Qualitative data analysis 31

3.8 Limitation to the study 31

3.9 Ethical considerations 31

CHAPTER FOUR 32

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 32

4.0 Introduction 32

4.1 Respondents’ socio-economic background 32

4.1.1 Age ofrespondents 32

4.1.2 Sex ofrespondents 34

4.2.3 Respondents’ level of education 35

4.2.4 Respondents’ religion 37

4.3 The relevant human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights 39

4.3.1 Awareness about women’s rights 39

4.3.2 4 Awareness of international and national instruments safeguards and promote human rights 41

4.3.4 FGM and women’s reproductive rights 42

4.4 The status and reasons for carrying out FOM 44

4.4.1 Circumcision status for the female respondents 44

4.4.2 Type of circumcision commonly used 46

4.4.3 State of the instruments used 48

4.4.4 Voluntarism in taking part 48

4.4. 5 Reasons for carrying out FGM and the benefits thereof 50

4.4.6 Social status of the uncircumcised women 53

4.4.7 The dangers associated with the practice of FGM 53

CHAPTER FIVE 57

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 57

5.1 Introduction 57

5.2 Discussion of Findings 57

5.2.1 The status and reasons for carrying out FGM practice among the Pokot 57

5.2.2 The relevant human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights 58

5.2.3 Challenges of implementation

5.3 Conclusions 60

5.3.1 Reasons for carrying out FGM Practice among the Pokot 60

5.3.2 The relevant human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights 60

5.3.3 Challenges of implementation 60

5.4 Recommendations .61

5.5 Areas for further research 62

REFERENCES 63

APPENDICES 66

APPENDIX I: CONSENT FORM 66

APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE RESPONDENTS 67

APPENDIX III: INTERVIEW GUIDE 74

APPENDIX IV: FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE 80