More girls suffer 'the cut' even as anti-FGM campaigns carry on

Despite a government ban some six years ago, female genital mutilation (FGM) now appears to be on the comeback. The ritual, which involves cutting and removal of female genitalia has continued to hit the country in various counties leaving over 2, 000 young girls affected.

The practice which is legal for boys is viewed as an important rite of passage into adulthood. 

The latest case is that of a Form Two girl from Kigaa village, Embu East who rushed to Runyenjes Police station bleeding after she escaped from the house where the act was performed on her.

The tools used for FGM put the girls at risk.

The girl’s stepmother, the circumciser, and two neighbours were arrested on December 3 for forcing the girl to undergo the cut.

Embu County Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chair Mary Kavinda confirmed the case and called for re-establishment of a Gender desk across all police stations to enable residents to report such incidents occurring in their villages.

She commended the girl for her bravery.

In Tiaty sub-county, Baringo, around 2,000 girls were said to have undergone the process on December 1. The girls from the Pokot community are victims of what their elders claim to be a mandatory rite of passage.

Lina Chebii, the chairperson of Anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Board a semi-autonomous government agency that was established in December 2013 following the enactment of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011 also comes from the Pokot region.

These sad incidents happen on the onset of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence international campaign. The campaign, which runs between 25 November and 10 December aims at challenge violence against women and girls.

While marking 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence, Baringo county commissioner Peter Okwanyo blamed FGM on illiteracy and lack of awareness.

What Kenyans need to know is that FGM cannot be easily wished away overnight despite the bad scars it leaves behind. Leaders from affected communities should join hands with the government and NGOs to eradicate it once and for all.