“You Must Cut That Long and Stinking Thing”: Uncovering the Lived Experiences of Uncircumcised Pokot Women in North-Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Background This paper explores the lived experiences of uncircumcised women among the Pokot community in North-Eastern Uganda, where female circumcision remains a dominant practice. Methods This was a qualitative study based on thirty (30) serial interviews with 15 uncircumcised women in the Pokot local language between August and October 2021. Five (5) Key Informant Interviews were also conducted with key informants from Amudat District. A Focus Group Discussion with women was organized as an entry point to identify the initial uncircumcised woman. Uncircumcised women were recruited using respondent driven sampling. Data was analyzed thematically and pseudonyms were used for participants during data analysis. The key themes that emerged during data analysis are; difficulty getting a marriage partner, exclusion from cultural ceremonies, stigmatization of children, not mixing with circumcised in community meetings, less difficulties while giving birth and sexual enjoyment during sexual intercourse. Results Participants expressed greater understanding of female circumcision and the procedure although they were not circumcised. Difficulties in getting marriage partners, bullying by co-wives, rejection by elders and relatives, stigmatization of their children, exclusion from cultural ceremonies and rituals and denial to mix with circumcised women in community meetings were the main experiences mentioned by uncircumcised women. Participants also revealed attempted suicide and murder, home desertions, Intimate partner violence and child abuse as well as early marriages as the main effects associated with their position against female circumcision due to feelings of loneliness, rejection, shame, anger and stress. Notwithstanding, sexual enjoyment during sexual intercourse epitomized by ease of reaching orgasms as well as less complications while giving birth were mentioned by participants as their positive experiences. Conclusion Uncircumcised women continue to experience psychosocial challenges in communities where female circumcision is deeply entrenched and perceived as the only passage to womanhood. This call for intensified awareness of the population on the challenges associated with female circumcision while demonstrating the positive experiences mentioned by uncircumcised women.