Female Genital Mutilation Fight in Africa
In 2011 Kenya passed a law that prohibits Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and imposes tough penalties on perpetrators and those abetting the practice. The law not only bans the practice in Kenya but also prohibits cross-border FGM and bars medical caregivers from carrying out the practice.
But, there’s so much the law can do. You have to work with community elders, chiefs, religious leaders to really make an impact.
The perpetrators have gotten smarter and have devised new ways of practicing FGM. From practicing FGM in the open it has evolved to being done in private maintaining high levels of secrecy. So how do you stop a practice where the parents and the perpetrator work as team?
- EDUCATION.
- Educate girls on their right to decide what happens to their body.
- Educate the parents and the circumcises on the dangerous and potential health risks and complications that are caused by Female Genital Mutilation.
2. CHANGE TRADITIONS – WITH THE SUPPORT OF OLDER GENERATIONS
3.CHALLENGE THE DISCRIMINATORY REASONS FGM IS PRACTISED
4. SPREAD UNDERSTANDING THAT RELIGION DOES NOT DEMAND FGM
5. TACKLE THE SECRECY THAT ALLOWS CUTTING TO CONTINUE
6. KEEP PUSHING FOR FGM TO BE BANNED