COUNTRY PROFILE UPDATE FGM IN KENYA: COUNTRY PROFILE UPDATE   KEY FINDINGS December 2016  

FGM IN KENYA The prevalence of FGM in Kenya continues to decline In 2014 prevalence among women aged 15 to 49 was 21% PREVALENCE YEAR (DHS 1998, p.168; DHS 2003, p.251; DHS 2008-9, p.265; and DHS 2014, pp.333, 340-343.)

WHERE? Highest FGM prevalence: North Eastern = 97.5% Lowest FGM prevalence: Western = 0.8% © 28 Too Many FGM prevalence by former province (© 28 Too Many) (DHS 2008-9, p.285; and DHS 2014, p.333.)

FGM PREVALENCE IN URBAN AREAS (women aged 15-49): 2008-9 = 16.5% 2014 = 13.8% FGM PREVALENCE IN RURAL AREAS (women aged 15-49): 2008-9 = 30.6% 2014 = 25.9% (DHS 2008-9, p.285; and DHS 2014, p.333.)

PRACTISING GROUPS Highest prevalence continues to be among the Somali (93.6%) Samburu (86%) Kisii (84.4%) Maasai (77.9%) By contrast, less than 2.5% prevalence among the Luo, Luhya, Turkana and Mijikenda/Swahili Prevalence does not appear to have increased in any ethnic group over the period 2003-2014 Figures suggest declining prevalence in many ethnic groups over the period 1998-2014: Kisii – 95.9% to 84.4% Maasai – 93.4% to 77.9%. Image: Sankara Subramanian (2012) A shy but beautiful Samburu woman. Available at https://flic.kr/p/cYNtFE. Creative Commons Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. This image has been altered from its original format (cropped). (DHS 2014, p.333.)

AGE Data suggests girls are undergoing FGM in Kenya at a younger age The proportion of women cut after the age of 15 has declined 46% of young women aged 15 to 19 who have undergone FGM were cut between the ages of 5 and 9, compared to only 16.7% in the age-group 45 to 49 Image: Ninara (2014) Magadi, Kenya, Maasai girls. Available at https://flic.kr/p/pHihPv. Creative Commons Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ (DHS 2014, p.335.)

TYPES OF FGM ‘Cut, flesh removed’ is the most common type of FGM in Kenya Infibulation is most common among the Somali population and those practising Islam Data suggests the frequency of ‘cut, flesh removed’ has risen and infibulation (Type III) has declined Cut, no flesh removed 1.6% Cut, flesh removed 87.2% Sewn closed, infibulation (Type III) 9.3% Undetermined/Not sure/ Don’t know 1.9% (DHS 2008-9, p.265; and DHS 2014, p.333.)

PRACTITIONERS FGM in Kenya continues to be carried out predominantly by ‘traditional agents’, for 74.9% of girls (aged 0 to 14) 83.3% of women (aged 15 to 49) Most of these agents are what the DHS calls ‘traditional circumcisers’ Despite recent legislation to prevent medical practitioners (doctors, nurses/midwives, other health professionals) performing FGM, there is some concern over a rise in medicalised FGM (DHS 2008-9, p.267; DHS 2014, p.339; Wandia [2016])

LAW The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011; revised 2012) criminalises FGM and the stigmatisation of uncut women The PFGM also established the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board In 2014, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) established the Anti-FGM and Child Marriage Prosecution Unit A 24/7 hotline was launched to rescue girls from FGM and child marriage, and to help prosecute these crimes

ATTITUDES The majority of people across all ethnic groups have heard of FGM Overall, 6.2% of women and 9.3% of men who have heard of FGM in Kenya believe it should continue 39.9% of women and 42.8% of men with ‘no education’ believe that FGM should continue Support for ending FGM increases with education For many, culture and tradition override the law when it comes to FGM and other harmful traditional practices Attitudes towards FGM also vary according to area of residence, ethnicity and wealth (DHS 2014, pp.331-3, 340-3.)

ANTI-FGM PROGRAMMES Their activities include: Key players in Kenya include: The Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board The UN Joint Programme The Girl Generation The Guardian Global Media Campaign International NGOs Local community- and faith-based organisations Their activities include: Community discussions and education Inclusion of men and boys Alternative Rites of Passage Public events/rallies Sponsorship of girls’ education Provision of safe houses Empowering key traditional and religious leaders Involving traditional practitioners Educational workshops in schools Training activists to use media tools Use of social media and films (Image © The Girl Generation)

CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES Implementing and enforcing anti-FGM laws Addressing the cultural/social/religious norms that support the continuation of FGM Engaging all members of a community, including traditional and faith leaders Outreaching to rural and isolated communities, where girls are most at risk Improving access to education Sustainable funding to scale up successful programmes Supporting traditional practitioners of FGM to give up their practice Addressing the medicalisation of FGM Maximising the use of all forms of media Further quality research to inform policies and programmes v2 July 2017