KNOWLEDGE ON ALTERNATIVE RITE OF PASSAGE AMONG TEENAGE GIRLS IN THARAKA NITHI COUNTY
Keywords:
Knowledge, Alternative Rite of Passage, Teenage GirlsAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine knowledge on Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) among teenage girls in Tharaka Nithi County
Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in Tharaka Nithi County Kenya. The study targeted girls aged 12-18 years who were 24,458. A sample of 317 girls was selected using proportionate sampling method. Data was collected using questionnaire and key informant interviews that yielded both qualitative and quantitative data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and presented in pie charts, bar graphs and tables. Chi square was used to establish relationship between variables and a P value of 0.05 was considered significant. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to establish the strength of the linear relationship between the variables under study.
Results: Several factors were found to be significant, while most of the respondents would want to undergo ARP (75.9%), most did not know the benefits of ARP. Statistically knowledge on the benefits was found to be significant in that those who knew were more likely to undergo the rite as opposed to those who did not know. Similarly, those who knew where and which organizations offered ARP were more likely to undergo the rite. Most of the efforts have been concentrated on educating the community about Female Genital Mutilation nd the benefits of ARP without recognizing that the girls who are the recipients of these rites of passage need to be empowered. This agrees with Ofware, 2018 that empowering girls with knowledge on ARP was a vital pillar in the fight against FGM. This is more so because these FGM happens in secrecy and the community members and local leaders may not be able to fight. When the girls are empowered, they can resist and seek help from rescues centers and authorities.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended that Maendeleo ya wanawake, Plan International and other stakeholders who are conducting ARP in Tharaka should partner with ministry of education in order to educate girls on ARP and its benefit. This empowering of the girl with knowledge will help in the fight against FGM. The study further recomends that the ministry of gender and ministry of education to development a frmaework that will ensure teenagers are educated on reproductive health ssues including FGM.
Downloads
References
Cheserem, S. (2010). Female genital mutilation in kenya - a literature review.
Catholic Service Information for Africa, CISA (2009). Meru Elders Back Fight on Female Genital Mutilation,
Hughes, L. (2018). Alternative Rites of Passage: Faith, Rights and Performance in Female Genital Mutilation Abondment Campaigns in Kenya. Health Care for Women International.
Icheria, B. K. (2015). A Social Narrative on Tharaka People in Kenya , Africa. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 2(2), 49–55.
Inga Kimaru, P. O. (2016). Status of Alternative Rite of Passage in The Fight To End Female Genital Mutilation. AMREF.
Jerop Caren, Mulwo Abraham, C. P. (2013). Promoting Eradication of FGM through Alternative Rite of Passage : a Study of Community Engagement Strategies in Keiyo-Marakwet Country , Kenya, (1).
KDHS. (2008). Kenya.
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2014).
Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, 603. https://doi.org/10.3109/03014460.2013.775344
Kiptiony, G. J. (2008). A knifeless rite: influence of selected characteristics on the marakwet of kenya’s perception of the counselling-based alternative rite of passage and levels of awareness of effects of fgm.
KNBS. (2013). Exploring Kenya ’ s Inequality.
Liang, M., Loaiza, E., Diop, N. J., & Legesse, B. (2016). Demographic perspectives of female genital mutilation. International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, 9(1), 3–28 26p. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-05-2015-0017
Muchui, D. (2015). Alternative rites of passage help fight FGM in Meru. nation media group. Retrieved from http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/meru/War-against-female-circumcision-Meru/1183302-3008376-1kp3ez/index.html
Mugenda O, M. A. (2003). Research methods, quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi: ACTS Press.
Muguna, H. (2014). The role of traditional music in girls alterntive rite of passage among the amiiru.
Oloo, H., Wanjiru, M., & Newell-jones, K. (2011). Female Genital Mutilation practices in Kenya :
Berer, M. (2016). The History and Role of the Criminal Law in Anti FGM Campaign: Is the Criminal what is Needed At least in Countries Like Great Britain. Reproductive Heath Matters.
Hughes, L. (2018). Alternative Rites of Passage: Faith, Rights and Performance in Female Genital Mutilation Abondment Campaigns in Kenya. Health Care for Women International.
Inga Kimaru, P. O. (2016). Status of Alternative Rite of Passage in The Fight To End Female Genital Mutilation. AMREF.
Mugenda O, M. A. (2003). Research methods, quantitative and qualitative approaches. Nairobi: ACTS Press.
Peter Ofware, P. N. (2018). Understanding Different Positions On Female Genital Cutting among Maasai and Samburu Commuitiesin Kenya: a Cultural Psychological Perspective. Culture Health and Sexuallity.
Rumsey, C. (2013). Country case study unfpa-unicef joint programme on female genital.
UNICEF. (2013). Social convention : female genital.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work’s authorship and initial publication in this journal.
