The Role of the Community in Ending Fgm Among the Boran in Merti Sub-County, Isiolo County

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the role of the community in ending FGM among the Boran community in Merti sub-county, Isiolo County. The study also took to identify the cause and effect of female genital mutilation amongst the Borana, with an aim to mitigate the information gap that exists and therefore constantly hinders the implementation strategies by the stakeholders within the County. The study was limited to parts of Isiolo County in particular Merti sub-County where the Borana community resides and it was guided by E.M. Rogers Diffusion of Innovation Theory and The Social Convention Theory. The primary data was gathered through questionnaires and focus group guides to the 100 participants who were determined through stratified random sampling and simple random sampling. The 100 were a sample drawn from a targeted population of 20341 residents within the sub-county. 60 of the respondents were reached through Questionnaires containing open-ended and closed-ended questions while the remaining 40 were reached through focus group discussions while collecting qualitative data. Quantitative data obtained through questionnaires was summarized in tables and keyed into an excel work sheet for analysis. This information was presented in tables, graphs and charts. Qualitative data obtained from FGDs was turned into text format and analyzed by generating themes. This was summarized into charts. Majority (59%) of the respondents indicated that the social factors that inhibit community leaders in their quest to prevent FGM/C. Among the explanations given as main factors contributing to this included the political factors that are propagated secretly by political leadership in the area, illiteracy was also mentioned as another social factor that inhibits community leaders in their quest to prevent FGM/C. The study found out that the family as a unit within the community plays a significant role in perpetuating the practice of FGM/C among the Borana of Isiolo County and that the Borana Community is not doing enough to curb cases of FGM/C in Merti sub- County. The study found cultural and religious beliefs of the Borana Community to significantly affect campaigns by leaders to fight FGM/C. The study found that current policies and legal framework are not assisting the fight against FGM/C in Merti sub- County. The study concludes that reduced cases of FGM/C may lead to low mortality rates in Merti sub- County. The study recommends that all stakeholders should work hand in hand to develop a national strategy. This would be done by drafting of a national action plans for the abandonment of FGM/C which will make it possible to identify the different roles and responsibilities of the actors involved. This will ensure proper coordination and the complementarity of the efforts undertaken. The study also recommends further research on this area especially those quantitative research studies aimed at testing hypothesis.