By Collins Shahonya.
In
a start-up one day conference held at Isinya multipurpose centre a few weeks
ago the leaders in the district led by the area chief were dully taught on how
to educate the public to shun away from the practice of FGM.
 |
| creating awareness |
This
is an act of parliament to prohibit the practice of female genital mutilation,
to safeguard against violation of person’s mental or physical integrity through
the practice of FGM and for connected purposes.
In
the context of the act, FGM includes: clitoridectomy which is the partial or
total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of
the labia majora and infibulations, which is the narrowing of the vaginal
orifice with the creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora or the labia
majora, with or without excision of the clitoris.
In
an interview Mr. Jeremiah Msumpai Ateti Chairman Isinya district community
policing and who was among those in the conference said that the public will be
soon educated about the act, the effects of practicing FGM and the consequences
of going against the stated act.
The
Act in part IV includes; aiding and
abetting female genital mutilation, procuring a person to perform FGM in
another country, use of premises to perform FGM, possession of tools or
equipments, failure to report commission of offence, and use of derogatory or
abusive language.
Part
V Subsection 29 puts the public liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term
of not less than three years, or to a fine of not less than two hundred
thousand shillings or both.
With
the Maasai community having delved into circumcision of girls for the past
decades, it is expected that it will be a hard tussle to abolish female genital
mutilation. A proper approach will therefore be needed to sensitize this
community on the act; with support from non-governmental organizations,
schools, churches, local leaders and even hospitals.
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