Challenges Facing the Methodist Church in Kenya in Her Effort to Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation in Kisii Mission, Kenya

Abstract

An investigation into challenges facing the church in eradicating female circumcision is perhaps more important now in Africa and, particularly in Kenya when the Church as well as the government seek for equality and to empower women for more productivity in all sectors. The study, therefore, focuses on investigating challenges experienced in eradicating female circumcision by the Methodist Church, Kisii Mission in Kisii County, Kenya. The study employs descriptive survey and Phenomenological qualitative designs in its methodology and is guided by five research questions: What factors have promoted the practice of female circumcision in Kisii community?; To what extent is female circumcision practiced among the Kisii people?; What is the contribution of the Church in fighting against female circumcision among the Abagusii of Kisii County?; What are the constraints faced by the church in Kisii communities in the fighting against the FGM practice?; What recommendations can the Methodist Church suggest in quest to eradicating the practice among its adherents? This study is of great significance because it helps recommend some of the best ways to eradicate female circumcision, gives answers to structural questions on practice of female circumcision and encourages the church to act as example in abolishing retrogressive cultural practices as key strategy in helping end female circumcision in Kisii County. The study is informed by Functionalism Theory. Ten Methodist churches are randomly sampled. The target population of the study comprises 3,500 members. The sampled size included 165 parents, 10 teachers, 198 youth, 10 pastors and 30 church leaders, all chosen through stratified sampling technique. Moreover, questionnaires are designed through exploratory factor analysis and all the items in the scales obtained conceptual fit. Interviews are also designed to collect qualitative data from the respondents on the constructs under scrutiny. The quantitative data is analyzed using mean scores, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages on IBM SPSS version 22. The qualitative component is analyzed thematically using direct quotes and narratives. The findings of the study established that some church members still practice female circumcision secretly. It also revealed that female circumcision leads to several medical problems like blockage of urinary tract, hemorrhage and other diseases in girls. Therefore, the study recommends that the church should actively use alternative rites of passage and the Bible to eradicate female circumcision. As such, churches should seek to value each woman and recognize her individual needs and gifts.