Abstract:
According to FORWARD (2005), data presented in a Female Genital Fact
Sheet indicated that Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is traditionally carried out by elderly
women ‘specialized’ in this task and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) - usually without
anaesthetics and with crude instruments such as razor blades, knives and broken shards of
glass. This paper looks into the health implications of female genital cutting in west Pokot
community and further identifies the promotional health strategies adopted by the community
during the process. The study was carried out in Sook location of West Pokot District of West
Pokot County. This area was randomly selected out of the four locations in the District. A
descriptive cross-sectional, qualitative research design was used for the study. Interviews and
focus group discussions were used to collect data. The study considered 63 participants for
interviews, all above 18 years, 9 key informants and 54 members of 7 Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs) with between 6-10 participants of each group. The study identified demerits of the
FGC practice as predisposition of girls to infections like HIV/AIDS, bleeding, though most
participants said this could result from other reasons like witchcraft. Incompletion of education
was also said to be one of the demerits of the FGC. Affirmation of community identity and
promotion of positive aspects of culture which boosts self-esteem in the community while
preventing physical and psychological harm to women and girls should be advocated for
through alternative rituals and Cultural day initiatives.
