'My rights were violated and I am scarred for life'

nkatha who was circumcised at 9 and the emotional agony she went through. Inset: The circumciser. [PHOTOS: LUCY MURUNGA/STANDARD]

Nkatha is a victim of female genital mutilation having been forced to undergo the rite by her grandmother when she was only nine years old. She vaguely remembers the finer details of what happened on that dreary day. But there is one particular thing that gnaws at her every time the events of the day hauntingly come back; a woman visitor.

“My grandmother called me outside and began talking to me about the cut and its importance. I remember being very terrified and hoping I could find a way to run away, but it was very dark. Later two women - one of them was my aunt - held me. The room was dimly lit. The next thing I felt was a piercing pain. I attempted to scream but my aunt told me not to cry. A few minutes later, it was all done. I was writhing in pain. I was then carried and put to sleep and my aunt stayed with me in the house.