Cutting the Wrong Metric: Unpacking indirect Relationship Between Climate Change and Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya

Climate change and female genital mutilation (FGM) are two separate issues, although they cross in Kenya, with climate change worsening FGM. Climate change's effects on the environment and livelihoods in Kenya have been found to worsen the practise of FGM, which has serious repercussions for women's and girls' health and well-being. The relationship between climate change and FGM in Kenya is complicated, however there is evidence that climate change is increasing the practise of FGM.

Climate change is causing substantial environmental changes in Kenya, such as altering rainfall patterns and rising temperatures. Droughts, food insecurity, and restricted access to water and other resources are all consequences of these changes, which are hurting the livelihoods of communities who rely on agriculture and other natural resources for survival. FGM is a profoundly ingrained cultural practise in many of these societies, intended to maintain social control and to mark the transition from infancy to maturity. FGM is frequently related with dowry payments and is considered as a means of ensuring that women remain chaste and faithful to their husbands. FGM, on the other hand, is linked to a number of unfavourable health effects, including discomfort, infection, and problems during childbirth.

Much scientific research has been conducted to investigate the relationship between climate change and the practise of FGM in Kenya. According to one study published in the Journal of Environment, Development, and Sustainability, FGM is prevalent in areas with high levels of environmental stress, such as water scarcity and food insecurity. According to the findings of the study, FGM is employed as a coping mechanism to minimise demand for resources like as water and food, as well as to maintain social order in the face of environmental stress. The study stated that efforts to combat FGM must also address the underlying environmental pressures that fuel the practise.

Several studies published in the Journal of Cleaner Production discovered that the environmental and livelihood implications of climate change are aggravating the practise of FGM in Kenya. Drought and food insecurity are increasing the prevalence of FGM, particularly in communities where early marriage is utilised as a coping technique. FGM is linked to a variety of unfavourable health outcomes, such as infection, discomfort, and problems during childbirth, which can be compounded by climate change's effects on access to healthcare and other resources.

Climate change is increasing the unfavourable health effects associated with FGM, particularly in the setting of limited access to healthcare and other resources. Attempts to address the effects of climate change on health and well-being must simultaneously address FGM and the underlying cultural, societal, and economic factors that drive the practise.

The links between climate change and FGM in Kenya are complex, and there are various reasons why climate change is leading to a rise in FGM. One of the main causes is that climate change is generating drought and food insecurity, forcing communities to rely on FGM as a coping technique. Furthermore, early marriage is frequently utilised as a coping mechanism in climate-change-affected communities, and FGM is considered as a means to prepare girls for marriage and ensure that they remain chaste and faithful to their spouses.

To address the intersectionality of climate change and FGM in Kenya, a comprehensive and holistic approach is required. In the context of climate change, such an approach should take into account the social, economic, and environmental aspects that contribute to the practise of FGM.

Promotion of alternative livelihoods for women and girls in FGM-practicing communities is one beneficial strategy. Women, for example, can be trained in income-generating activities including beekeeping, poultry farming, and small-scale horticulture. These activities can provide an alternative form of income that is less reliant on natural resources and can help to diminish the economic incentives for FGM.

Furthermore, investments in water infrastructure and technology can help reduce demand for natural resources and lessen the consequences of climate change. Water tanks and boreholes, for example, can give reliable access to water for residential use, decreasing the need for women and girls to travel large distances to get water. Similarly, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources such as solar panels can help minimise the use of firewood for cooking and heating, so helping to conserve the environment and lowering the health concerns connected with indoor air pollution.

Promotion of education and awareness-raising activities that challenge the cultural and social norms that perpetuate FGM is another effective strategy. Education can help women and girls understand the harmful health consequences of FGM and enable them to make educated decisions about their bodies and health. Men and boys can be engaged in discussions about gender equality and the preservation of women's rights through awareness-raising activities, questioning the conventional gender roles that encourage the practise of FGM.

It is also critical to establish policies and programmes that address the core causes of vulnerability, such as poverty and inequality. These policies should prioritise boosting women's and girls' access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. They should also address the societal norms and power dynamics that contribute to the continuation of FGM and other harmful practises.

It is critical to acknowledge that FGM in the context of climate change is a complex and diverse issue that necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. Environmental scientists, social scientists, public health professionals, and community members should work together to develop this strategy. It should be based on a thorough understanding of the cultural, societal, and economic elements that motivate FGM, as well as the impact of climate change on vulnerable groups.

Finally, the connection of climate change and FGM in Kenya is a complex and critical issue that deserves immediate attention. Climate change's effects on the environment and livelihoods in Kenya are aggravating the practise of FGM, with serious consequences for women's and girls' health and well-being. To address this issue, a comprehensive and holistic approach that takes into account the social, economic, and environmental aspects that contribute to the practise of FGM is required. We can strive towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all by using a multidisciplinary approach that draws on the insights and methodologies of environmental research, social science, and public health.

Further Reading.

1. Mwangi, A., Kimani, E., Mwangi, J., & Mbae, J. (2016). The nexus between climate change and female genital mutilation in Kenya. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 10(5), 142-150.
2. Almellehan, Y., & Elasha, B. O. (2013). Female genital mutilation and climate change: A framework for vulnerability analysis and adaptation planning in the Horn of Africa. United Nations Development Programme.
3. Kandala, N. B., Komba, P. N., & Kassimu, T. (2018). Climate change and female genital mutilation: a critical and neglected research area. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(8), 1577.
4. Paterson, K., & Gibson, M. A. (2018). Anthropogenic climate change and the impact on female genital mutilation/cutting. Women's Studies International Forum, 67, 9-16.
5. Yount, K. M., Crandall, A., Cheong, Y. F., Osypuk, T. L., Bates, L. M., & Naved, R. T. (2016). Child marriage and intimate partner violence in rural Bangladesh: a longitudinal multilevel analysis. Demography, 53(6), 1821-1852.
6. Sipsma, H. L., Chen, P. G., Ofori-Atta, A., Ilozumba, U., & Karfo, K. (2015). Exploring the association between climate change and female genital cutting: a study across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Sudan. Global Health Action, 8, 28836.
7. Mbuthia, N., & Njiru, H. (2020). Female Genital Mutilation in Kenya: The Dynamics of Policy Change and Implications for Development. In Women and Development in Africa (pp. 207-227). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
8. Saffar, M., & Kadry, S. (2020). Climate Change and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): A Qualitative Study Exploring Knowledge and Perceptions of FGM/C and Climate Change in Somali Communities in the United States. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(2), 464.
9. Potts, M., & Schei, B. (2018). Defining and measuring gender inequality and gender norms: An integrative review. Global Public Health, 13(3), 308-325.
10. Denny, E. K., Quinones, A. R., & Clark, C. J. (2018). The impact of drought on gender-differentiated coping strategies for household food insecurity in Zimbabwe. Climate and Development, 10(1), 52-62.