Other

Developing a community action plan to enhance male involvement in FGM abandonment in Kenya: A qualitative and co-design approach

Mwendwa P, Kwallah E, De Brún A, Kroll T, McAuliffe E · 28 Mar 2025

Abstract

Objective: To co-design a community action plan (CAP) to promote male involvement in the abandonment of female genital mutilation (FGM) and enhance collaboration between men and women to end FGM in Kenya. Design Qualitative study and co-design approach using co-design workshops. During workshops, we provided participants with suggested strategies for male involvement identified in a previous phase of the study and carried out a prioritization exercise on potentially effective strategies. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Setting Two counties in Kenya, Meru and Kajiado, with variable FGM prevalence- 31% and 78%, respectively. Participants A purposive sample of 26 participants including community members, local leaders, religious leaders, anti-FGM advocates, community health volunteers, young males and females, schoolteachers, and NGO representatives. Results This study highlighted the importance and value of community engagement strategies in designing interventions. The study has shown the potential to address the lack of male involvement in FGM and provides practical advice on how to achieve this. We co-designed clear, practical community prioritised strategies for involving men in FGM abandonment.The need to leverage existing community structures and the importance of ‘whole community approaches’ namely community dialogues (Meru) and community mabaraza (community assemblies) (Kajiado) were emphasized. Community health volunteers as well as male and female champions were considered key to driving community engagement. Conclusions This study provides persuasive evidence that could enable governments to develop clear guidelines for NGOs and religious institutions on the importance of male involvement in awareness raising, education, and other interventions to eliminate FGM practices and providing strategies for these organizations to engage men and boys in supporting the abandonment of FGM. However, given resource constraints and competing health priorities in these low-income settings, the key challenge will be how to fund and implement such initiatives to ensure men do not continue to be left behind.