Awful BUT True!

In Kenya, FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and FGC (Female Genital Cutting) are practiced. This is to be done before marriage. There are three types of practices. There is clitoridectomy which is the removal of the clitoral hood with or without the removal of all or part of the clitoral hood. The second type is excision of the clitoris together with part or all of the labia minora (the inner vaginal lips). The last type is excision of part or all of the external genitalia and stitching of the vagina opening, leaving a very small opening, allowing for the flow of urine and menstrual blood. The girl’s legs are tied from the hip to the ankle so she remains still for about 40 days to let scar tissue form.

Some of the tribes that participate in this rite of passage are: Kisii, Masai, Kalenjin, Taita and Taueta, Meru/Embu, Kikuyu, Kamba, and Miji Kendal/Swahili. Kenya’s two largest groups in the far west, the Luos and the Lubuyas do not practice these methods.

These groups believe that this practice benefits the girls. It is believed that the girls that do not have this procedure will be cursed by their ancestors. Many believe that the cut will make the girls virgins at marriage and be faithful at marriage. The Akamba believe that it helps women avoid problems during childbirth. People see it as important to a girls’ maturity. The ritual also includes teachings about sexuality, relations with husbands, pregnancy, behavior and how important it is to marry outside the group.