She was oppressed and her role in the society disregarded. In most communities, she did most of the heavy work and was submitted to the man or men in the society. Like in the Masaai community, the woman would build the house they lived in with the husband and children. She would milk over a hundred cows, cook, fetch water and take care of the children. All this time, the men are out basking in the sun and chatting with other men. She was greatly over worked though she never complained as she had accepted this as her role in the society.
When education was introduced, most communities would prefer educating the boy child and leave the girl child at home. They could not see any benefit the girl child would bring to the community as she was only seen as fit for marriage. Giving away a girl child in marriage greatly benefited the family as they would receive a great prize known as dowry from the husband to be. The more beautiful the girl was, the higher the bride price was.
Some of the communities would circumcise the girl child. This was a painful ordeal that left a permanent scar in the body and mind of the child if she survived the ordeal. Some would bleed to death; others would have very painful sexual intercourse when they got married while others would have complications when giving birth that could sometimes lead to death. The government together with some non governmental institiutions all over the world is working hand in hand to put a stop to Female genital mutilation. They are also sensitizing the community on the need to educate the girl child and to protect her too.