Contribution of state-community partnership structure in implementation of female genital mutilation (FGM) policy: A case of Chepalungu Sub-County, Kenya

Résumé

In its effort to end female genital mutilation (FGM), the state in Kenya has operationalised key legislation: the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2019. Notwithstanding the statutory recognition of community participation in the implementation of the policy, there remains a structural void that weakens the partnership between the state and the community. This is more pronounced in Chepalungu Sub-County of Bomet County, where incidences of FGM are on the increase. This paper assessed the effectiveness of state-community partnership structures in the implementation of FGM policy in Chepalungu Sub-County. It was informed by both the partnership and structural functional theories and used a descriptive survey research design to determine the target population at 340, from which a sample size of 169 was selected using Slovin’s formula. The sample size was arrived at using a purposive sampling technique among key influencers and policy implementers, while the household heads were simply randomly sampled. Data were collected using a questionnaire, interview schedule and focus group discussions. The analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and the thematic analysis method and presented in tabular form, pie charts, narratives and graphs. The findings indicated that 20 (63%) agreed that there is weak and often ad hoc coordination between the state and the community which negatively affected the implementation of the FGM policy. Further, 12 (37%) agreed to inadequate monitoring and evaluation of the implementation process. Notwithstanding the foregoing findings, 20 (63%) of the respondents indicated that there is some form of state-community collaboration, especially in the apprehension and arrest of offenders (7 (22%)), the rescue of cut girls (3 (9%)) and the taking of risk mitigation measures (2 (6%)). The involvement of the state, however, in alternative rites of passage as a strategy for controlling FGM was minimal. This is largely left to the civil society organisations (20 (62.5%)) in their efforts to promote girl child rights. About 10 (31.25%) agreed that civil society also engages in sexuality and reproductive health awareness as a strategy to de-campaign the FGM practice. This paper concludes that there is weak structural collaboration between the state and the community in the implementation of the FGM policy. The state remains a dominant actor in the implementation process in a community whose cultural practices are criminalised. It recommends the creation and maintenance of definitive partnership structures to reify the collaboration between the state and the community.