Violation of Female Reproductive Rights: A case study of Female Genital Mutilation in Amudat District, Karamoja Region.

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Date
2019-09
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Publisher
Kampala International University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Abstract
The study aimed at investigating the violation of women’s reproductive rights: A case of Female Genital Mutilation in Amudat District. This was motivated by the fact that although there have been deliberate attempts and formulation of international and national instruments to encourage the Pokot community to discard the FGM practice, there seems to be persistent resistance to abandoning it, as evidenced by the number of females who undergo the practice. The study was guided by three objectives: (i) To identify and analyze the relevant human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights, (ii) identify the reasons for carrying out FGM in Amudat District and (iii) to find out the challenges faced in the implementation of human rights instruments to women’s reproductive rights. An evaluation of a rights-based approach to FGM was also done. The study used a case study research design in which both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection were employed. The study population included females aged 14-25 (90) and opinion leaders from the elders (12), health workers, and Local Council I Leaders (6), whose gender was not predetermined. In all, 144 respondents were involved in the study. A research administered questionnaire, an interview guide and a focus group discussion guide were used to solicit data. The collected data was presented in frequency counts and score tables with varying percentages calculated. Interpretations and conclusions depended on the number of occurrences on each item. For qualitative data, a scheme of analysis was worked out following the coding categories, using content analysis, quotations and the most occurring ideas on every question. The study findings also revealed that though there were some levels of support for the eradication of FGM practice, it is unlikely to end. This is because society has cast a state of sacredness on FGM, especially by institutionalizing its norms and linking contravention of such norms to social disaster and loss of benefits to society. Regarding the use of national and international instruments on women’s reproductive rights, there were low levels of awareness, lack of social support, and lack of a practical law that would not complicate relationship elements with other tribes. There was also lack of structures and institutions to popularize the evils associated with FGM by according the victims some degree of special attention.
Description
A research report submitted to the College of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Bachelors of Public Administration and Management of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Female Reproductive, Rights, Violation, Amudat District
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