ALTERNATIVE RITE OF PASSAGE FOR THE GIRL CHILD AMONG AMERU COMMUNITY OF KENYA AND THE OBSTACLES IN ACHIEVING ITS SUCCESS: EMBRACING CHANGE FOR A BETTER LIFE

Abstract

Every year thousands of girls and women in the Ameru community undergo female genital mutilation according to the Meru tradition. This is a traditional cultural practice which has two components; the actual surgical operation, education guidance and counseling during seclusion and healing process. Largely, the education that is given tithe girls during this period contains some positive aspects which are beneficial to them and the community and therefore should be encouraged. However, the physical cut which is harmful and potentially life threatening and causes distressing pain and suffering should be abandoned. This paper will focus on both the primary targets who are the girls as well as the secondary targets who are the girls’ parents and other close relatives, the peers (boys and girls), community opinion leaders, religious leaders, politicians, government officials and the circumcisers to help bring change. It is hoped that through awareness creation and sensitization forums the targeted groups will experience and acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and develop attitude that will lead to socio-cultural change and transformation of Ameru community as far as FGM is concerned.