Influence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Practices on the Retention of Girls in Secondary Schools in Tiaty West Sub-County, Baringo County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol6iss5pp38-49-879Abstract
The purpose of the study is to identify FGM practices that affect the retention of girls in secondary schools in Tiaty West Sub-County, Baringo County, Kenya. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study. The study targeted 46 girls and mixed secondary schools located in Tiaty West Sub-County. The study used a simple random sampling method to select 14 secondary schools, stratified into 5 boarding, 5 mixed, and 4 day secondary schools. The sample size comprised 355 female students. They were issued with a questionnaire. The study conducted a pilot study in 2 secondary schools in Tiaty East Subcounty, Kenya. They included AIC Churo Girls High School and Tangulbei Mixed Secondary School. In the current study, Cronbach's alpha was used to assess reliability. The analysis of questionnaire data was conducted by excluding incomplete questionnaires, and the data were entered into SPSS version 27 for descriptive and correlational analyses (Pearson Correlation). The descriptive statistics analyzed included frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The results indicated that FGM practices had a significant influence on girls' retention in secondary schools. The findings established that FGM remains prevalent in the community and is strongly influenced by parents, relatives, and community members, causing physical, psychological, and emotional effects that disrupt girls’ school attendance, concentration, and retention. The study concluded that FGM remains a significant socio-cultural barrier to girls’ retention in secondary schools in Tiaty West Sub-County despite existing laws and policies. It is therefore recommended that government authorities strengthen enforcement of anti-FGM laws, while chiefs, elders and teachers establish early-warning and reporting mechanisms. Schools should provide counselling, and community and religious leaders should intensify sensitisation and promote alternative practices that protect girls’ education.
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