Distribution of FGM/C across Kenya
Prevalence varies greatly depending on the region – the (former) province with the highest prevalence is North Eastern (97.5% of women aged 15–49), and the province with the lowest is Western (0.8%). Prevalence is more common among women who live in rural areas, at 18.4%, than among women who live in urban areas, at 9.7%.
FGM/C is practised across all ethnic groups and religions, although to varying degrees. The highest prevalences are among Muslim women (51.1% of women aged 15–49) and the Somali (86.9%), Kisii (70.9%), Maasai (56.7%), Somali (86.9%), and Samburu (75.9%).
92% of women aged 15–49 and 93% of men in the same age-range believe that FGM/C should not be continued.
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Trends in FGM Prevalence in Kenya
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The prevalence of FGM/C in Kenya has dropped from 37.6% of women aged 15–49 in 1998 to 21% in 2014 to 14.8 in 2021. Due to the large age-range of women included, however, the overall prevalence alone may not fully reflect the progress that has been made in recent years.
The progress toward ending FGM/C in Kenya is encouraging. Overall, the incidence of the practice is decreasing. However, there are aspects in Kenya that remain concerning. These include the medicalisation of the practice (in other words, FGM/C performed by healthcare workers), changes in the type of cutting performed (‘less severe’ types of FGM/C and the cutting of younger girls), hotspots where the practice continues, and cross-border FGM/C.
Latest Research
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.jpg "Country Profile Update: FGM in Kenya (2017, English)")
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_swahili_cover.jpg "Kenya: The Law and FGM/C (2018, Swahili)")
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_cover.jpg "Presentation: FGM in Kenya (2017, Swahili)")
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_no_border_-_swahili.jpg "Prevalence Map: FGM in Kenya (2014, Swahili)")
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Spatial Clustering in Temporal Trends of Female Genital Mutilation Risk: Leveraging Sparse Data in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia
Lead Author:
WENY, Kathrin
Published by:
Wiley Periodicals LLC
Year published:
2023
Factors Associated with the Perception of Ease and Intention to Practise Female Genital Mutilation on Daughters: A Cross-Sectional Study of Cross-Border Communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda
Published by:
UNFPA
Year published:
2023
Factors Linked to Female Genital Mutilation Practice Among Women Living In Alungu Village of Mandera County, Kenya
Lead Author:
SHEIKH, Mohammed Mohammud
Published by:
East African Health Research Journal
Year published:
2023
The Intersection of Economy and Tradition: Understanding FGM Prevalence in Samburu County, Kenya
Lead Author:
GIKUNDA, George Kimathi
Co-Author(s):
BABU, Paul Kelvin
Published by:
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications
Year published:
2023
Factors associated with the perception of ease and intention to practice female genital mutilation on daughters: A cross-sectional study of cross-border communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda
Published by:
UNFPA
Year published:
2023
The perceived effects of COVID-19 pandemic on female genital mutilation/cutting and child or forced marriages in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Senegal
Lead Author:
ESHO Tammary
Co-Author(s):
ABEBE Sintayehu,
ABUYA Timothy,
CAMARA Khaltoume,
GITIMU Anne,
HAILU Yeshitila,
KAGURUSI Patrick,
KAMANZI Lilian,
KAPSANDUI Tonny,
KAWAI David,
KOGADA John Okandi,
MATANDA Dennis J.,
MOUHAMMED Bachir,
NANKANJA Maureen,
ONDIGO Millicent,
OSUR Joachim,
WABWIRE Andrew
Published by:
BMC Public Health
Year published:
2022
What makes a woman? Understanding the reasons for and circumstances of female genital mutilation/cutting in Indonesia, Ethiopia and Kenya
Lead Author:
KAKAL Tasneem
Co-Author(s):
GITAU Tabither,
HIDAYANA Irwan,
KASSEGNE Abeje Berhanu,
KOK Maryse,
KWAAK Anke van der
Published by:
An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care
Year published:
2022
Empowering Communities against Harmful Social Practices through Integrated Water Hygiene and Sanitation and Alternative Rites of Passage Model in Kajiado County, Kenya
Lead Author:
MBOGO Bernard
Published by:
East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
Year published:
2022
The “Uncut” Stigma: Debunking the Myths and Misconceptions that Promote Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya
Lead Author:
MUKABI Fredrick
Published by:
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences
Year published:
2022
Impact of introduction of the anti-female genital mutilation law on the practice of female genital mutilation in Garissa County, Kenya
Lead Author:
DEROW Yasmin H.
Published by:
International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health
Year published:
2021
Influence of Culture on Girl Child Education in Central Pokot Sub County, Kenya
Lead Author:
ANDIEMA Nelly C.
Published by:
East African Journal of Education Studies
Year published:
2021
Community-Based Child Protection Systems: Prevalence of Child Abuse in Mukuru Kwa Njenga Informal Settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
Lead Author:
KIVUVA Reuben Mulwa
Published by:
THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL STUDIES
Year published:
2021
The impact of community led alternative rite of passage on eradication of female genital mutilation/cutting in Kajiado County, Kenya: A quasi-experimental study
Lead Author:
MUHULA Samuel
Co-Author(s):
BANDE Martha,
CONRADI Hilke,
KARANJA Sarah,
KAWAI David,
KAYIAA Hellen,
LESHORE Charles,
MARITA Enock,
MVEYANGE Anthony,
OPANGA Yvonne,
OTI Samuel Oji,
SMET Eefje
Published by:
PLoS ONE
Year published:
2021
A hybrid, effectiveness-implementation research study protocol targeting antenatal care providers to provide female genital mutilation prevention and care services in Guinea, Kenya and Somalia
Lead Author:
AHMED Wisal
Co-Author(s):
AHMED Muna Abdi,
BALDE Mamadou Dioulde,
DIRIYE Ahmed,
ESHO Tammary,
MOCHACHE Vernon,
NDAVI Patrick,
PALLITTO Christina Catherine,
PETZOLD Max,
SOUMAH Anne-Marie,
STEIN Karin
Published by:
BMC Health Services Research
Year published:
2021
Gender Based Violence Against Females in Narok County: The Dragon in their way to Achieving Education and Safety
Lead Author:
JOSEPHINE Uhuru
Co-Author(s):
LYDIAH Wamocha
Published by:
International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP)
Year published:
2020
Commentary: Using law more effectively towards abandonment of FGM/C in Kenya
Lead Author:
MEROKA-MUTUA Agnes K.
Published by:
Population Council
Year published:
2020
Lessons from a five-year research programme on FGM/C and their relevance for policy and programmes in Kenya
Lead Author:
KIMANI Samuel
Published by:
Population Council
Year published:
2020
Underlying Sociocultural Practices Influencing Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Kajiado County
Lead Author:
MBOGO Bernard
Published by:
Advances in Sexual Medicine
Year published:
2019
Debating medicalization of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): learning from (policy) experiences across countries
Lead Author:
LEYE Els
Co-Author(s):
ANSER - Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy,
BARRETT Hazel,
EEKERT Nina Van,
ESHO Tammary,
SHAMU Simukai
Published by:
Reproductive Health
Year published:
2019
A Spatial Analysis of the Prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting among 0–14-Year-Old Girls in Kenya
Lead Author:
KANDALA Ngianga-Bakwin
Co-Author(s):
ATILOLA Glory,
KOMBA Paul,
MACKIE Gerry,
MAVATIKUA Lubanzadio,
MOORE Zhuzhi,
NNANATU Chibuzor Christopher,
SHELL-DUNCAN Bettina
Published by:
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Year published:
2019
Female Genital Mutilation and its Effect in Public Primary Schools Participation by the Girl Child: A Study of Samburu County, Kenya
Lead Author:
NJOGU Gladys Nyambura
Published by:
International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
Year published:
2018
Socio-Cultural Constraints Facing Girl Child Education in Mochongoi Division of Baringo District, Kenya
Lead Author:
GITAHI Rose Nyambura
Published by:
IOSR Journal of Research & Method in Education
Year published:
2018
Adolescent girls’ attitudes toward female genital mutilation: a study in seven African countries
Lead Author:
DALAL Koustuv
Published by:
F1000Research
Year published:
2018