THE EFFECTS OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION ON GIRL CHILD EDIJCATION IN BUKWO DISTRICT EASTERN UGANDA

ABSTRACT

The study investigated FGM and girl child education in Bukwo District, Eastern Uganda. The main reason of the study was to establish the effect of FGM on Girl child education and how it can be eliminated to improve the enrollment of the girl child in schools. The study mainly targeted those who are mutilated. Questionnaires (self administrated questionnaires), in depth interview methods were used to get the required information in which 350 respondents were interviewed in the whole study. Primary and secondary data sources were used to analyze and present the data in respective ways. Qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods were used. The research study was descriptive in nature.

The greatest number of respondents was females with the percentages of 61.4, the dominant age group was adults (20.0%), 61.7% of the population dropped out of primary, 79,7% of the respondents were married. The study findings revealed that existence of high rates of mutilation or poor methods of mutilation due to low levels of education has led to high school drop ours especially the girl child in a sense that they face a lot of humiliations, injuries forced marriages (early marriages, therefore with such in place education (girl child education) in the area has become a myth (dream).

The study concludes that governments, development partners and other stakeholders should take an extensive role in thorough sensitization of the local Sabiny community on the essence of eliminating their barbaric practice of FGM and try to embrace girl child education through discouraging early marriage which are seen as sources of dowry and spell out girl child contribution to the improved and quality community standards which will lead to both local and national development. The study recommends that Bukwo District (through district community development officers and other units) should engage in support of the pareins in spectrum of activities. For instance under taking sensitization of parents on education promotion of girl child and their security, establishment of education demonstration sites and among others. The research recommends further research to be carried out on FGM and individual daily activities in Suam Sub County Bukwo District Eastern Uganda.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF TABLES viii

LIST OF ABREVIATIONS AND SYNONIMS ix

ABSTRACT x

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2. Statement of the problem 5

1.3. Purpose/General objectives of the study 6

1 .3. 1 Specific objectives of the study 6

1.4 Research questions 7

1.5. Scope of the Study 7

1.5.1. Geographical scope 7

1.5.2. Time scope 7

1.5.3. Hypothesis 7

1.6. Significance of the study 8

1.7. The conceptual framework showing female genital mutilation/cutting and girl child 8

V

CHAPTER TWO .9

LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.0 Introduction g

2.1 Theoretical Framework 9

2.1. 1 .Cultural relativism and ethical relativism theories 9

2.2. Prevalence of FGM 12

2.3 Rationale on female genital mutilation 12

2.3 Associated effects of female genital mutilation 12

2.4 (REACH) program in Uganda 14

2.5 Law enforcement against FGM 14

CHAPTER THREE 16

METHODOLOGY 16

3.0. Introduction 16

3.1. Research Design 16

3.2. Study population 16

3.3. Selection of study population 16

3.4. Sample size 16

3.5. Data collection methods 17

3.5.1. Primary sources 17

3.5.2. Secondaiy sources 17

3.6. Data analysis 18

3.7. Possible limitations of the study 18

3.8. Ethical consideration 18

vi

CHAPTER FOUR .19

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS 19

4.1. Introduction 19

4.2. Demographic characteristics of respondents 19

4.3. Meaning of variables (FGM and Education) 23

4.4. Challenges the community is experiencing 26

CHAPTER FIVE 30

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 30

5.I.Summary of findings 30

5.2. Conclusion 31

5.3. Recommendations 32

5.4. Suggested area of further studies 32

REFERENCES 33

APPENDICES 35

Appendix A: Questionnaires 35

Appendix B: Interview guide 38

Appendix C: Budget 39

Appendix D: Time frame 40

Appendix E: Map of Bukwo District 41