The Impact of Interventions Towards Elimination of Female Circumcision Among the Sabiny in Uganda: Case Study: Kaptanya Community, Kapchorwa District

Abstract

Globally, female circumcision has been condemned as a cultural practice that has grave effects on those who get circumcised. As a result, both legal and pragmatic efforts have been implemented to eliminate the practice but with no immediate end to it. It is for this reason that the study tries to examine the impact of the interventions towards elimination of female circumcision, the extent of the practice among the Sabiny, to find out what interventions ever exist and what are the dominant opinions about the practice.

The study employed qualitative approach of data collection by use of tools such as interview guide, focus group discussions guide and questionnaires. These data collection methods were chosen because it is most appropriate and enhanced face to face interaction with respondents, provided detailed and exhaustive findings which led to proper determination of inference. It also helped cross check, interpret and analysis of the data.

The study established that efforts by both the local community and the government to eliminate the FGM indeed do exist. Among these include sensitizations, dialogue, empowerment programs of both girls and women and to crown it all the formulation of the prohibition of the Female Genital Mutilation Act (2010). Despite all these efforts, FGM is still hard to eliminate among the Sabiny due to divided opinions about importance of the practice as there are those who are in favor of the practice and those against the practice.

Those in favor of the practice cherish it and strongly consider it as one of the cultural practices that has been there for many generations. They also strongly state that female circumcision is a rite of passage for a girl to become a woman , part of a ritual of initiation into womanhood, and a fundamental symbol of ethnic identity used to distinguish a Sabiny woman from neighboring non- Sabiny communities. Those against the practice advance that the practice poses health risks and threatens the well being of women and girls and it violates their rights.

The study recommends that the practicing community need comprehensive, holistic and well packaged approaches/strategies in trying to eliminate a deep rooted cultural practice. This is based on research findings that many respondents claimed that prohibition of female genital mutilation law undermines the other aspects of the process which includes mentoring the girls focusing on family or household management, public relations, inculcating words of wisdom, courage, strength, tolerance and hard work. In the process of the rite of passage problem solving strategies are inculcated to the graduates. As a result they appeal to the government to uphold the good aspects of the culture but not disregarded the whole process and incriminates everyone suspected to be involved in FGM .Therefore they should adopt a strategy of maintaining the process and avoiding the cutting.

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