Perception Of Literate Maasai Girls On Female Genital Mutilation: A Case Study Of Maasai Mara University

Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total cutting away of the female genitalia, which has been practiced for centuries in parts of Africa and other regions of the world as one element of a rite of passage. An investigation of the Maasai literate girl’s perception on FGM in Narok County helped shed light upon numerous obstacles to its elimination. A lot of studies have looked at the prevalence the factors contributing to the vice and the consequences suffered from the vice but there is little evidence in literature of studies that have considered the perceptions of the girls on FGM. The purpose of this study was therefore to establish Perceptions of Maasai literate women on FGM in the county. The specific objectives of the study were; to determine if FGM reduces sexual desire, to assess whether FGM is practiced because it forms part of culture, whether FGM increases social cohesion and measures that have been put in place to curb the practice. The study used Durkheim’s Functionalist theory in its theoretical framework and used Descriptive Research design and targeted 400 female Maasai students at Maasai Mara University. The study used a sample equivalent to 15% of the population to give a sample of 50 respondents. The selection of the Maasai female at Maasai Mara University was based on the fact that the Maasai are among the communities where the practice was still held very seriously among the members. Non-probable sampling was used in selecting participants in the area of study. The research data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Piloting of the instruments was among few Maasai girls to provide the required information on its reliability and validity in order to make necessary modifications and adjustments before commencing data collection in the field. The data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 for windows was used to analyses the data. The study was expected to generate information regarding the perceptions of literate Maasai girls on FGM among in Narok County. The findings from the study were also expected to help the Ministry of Gender and Social services, Government of Kenya and local community leaders to take serious the fight against FGM practice and look for strategies to eliminate it.