Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2008

Abstract

In 2004, FRONTIERS collaborated with UNICEF on a study of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) in Kenya’s Somali community and on ways of managing maternal care for cut women. The study showed that the health-care system in North Eastern Province, where many Somalis live, is ill prepared to deal with women who have been cut, particularly infibulated women who are pregnant or delivering. The study recommended improving providers’ ability to counsel and treat pregnant cut women as part of an overall improvement of maternal care, and strengthening providers’ role as behavior change agents within communities. In 2005, FRONTIERS launched an intervention to address medical complications of FGM/C. The strategy was to train health care providers in North Eastern Province to better manage pregnant women, and to build their readiness to advocate against FGM/C. As noted in this brief, health providers in North Eastern Province showed increased knowledge and improved skills following attendance at training workshops. They developed action plans for integrating the skills learned and for advocacy and community education on FGM/C. The cur­riculum has been adopted by the Kenyan government and training for other providers serving excised women has begun.

DOI

10.31899/rh14.1005

Language

English

Project

Frontiers in Reproductive Health

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