By far the most critical complications arising from genital mutilation come during pregnancy. Prolonged labor, which is life-threatening to both mother and child, is a common result. Most people say that the practice of female genital mutilation is dying out, especially in Nairobi and other urban centers. But there is little hope of eradication in the near future. About 70 percent of the food produced in Africa is the work of women.
Women also carry the burden of raising children and running the household.
In 1982, President Daniel arap Moi officially banned female genital mutilation, but 13 years later, the ban seems to have had little effect.