Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya: Lessons Learnt from Gikuyu Women Change Stories” in African Journal of Gender and Women Studies

Abstract

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has widely been practiced across Africa. The Gikuyu considered the rite of passage central in transforming girls into women and it stood at the epicentre of the Christian missionaries’ and Gikuyu nationals’ controversy in 1920-1930. However, from early 1970s, it started declining. Through oral change stories from heroic women, this paper documents social transformation models and processes of change. It picks the socio-cultural and economic domains of transformation and thus develops a Theory of Change Model, which is hoped to be transposed to other communities that continue practicing FGM. The TOC model is perceived to supersede legal and policy frameworks in addressing the notorious practice in Kenya.