By Arnold Ageta
Female lawmakers and activists are making a joint push against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), an outlawed practice that continues to persist.
Members of Kenya Women Parliamentarians (KEWOPA), women’s rights organization Nguvu Collective, and the Anti-FGM Board combined forces in a bid to eradicate FGM through a creative campaign dubbed “Break The Blade.”
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The campaign that features a symbolic breaking-of-the-blade activity was led by Mrs. Bernadette Resian Loloju, Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-FGM Board Kenya and the Anti-FGM Board Chairperson, Ipato Surum.
Preethi Herman, CEO of Nguvu Collective, said, “Nguvu Change Leaders; Selina Nkoile and Naomy Kolian, who are at the forefront of the Break the Blade campaign, are survivors of FGM. They have emerged as strong anti-FGM activists in their counties because they don’t want any girl to undergo the trauma they experienced.”
She said Nguvu Collective believes in the power of collective action.
The event, Herman said, was just another example of how Nguvu Change Leaders join hands with policymakers and civil society partners to elevate and amplify conversations on critical human rights issues that shock the world.
Lolujo on her part said that the Kenyan government is implementing laws and policies to tackle FGM, and the country is the only one with an Anti-FGM Board.
“The Anti-FGM Board is working on a safeguarding policy that we will soon share. We will bring all stakeholders on board and emphasize the importance of how we speak about FGM,” said Loloju.
In Parliament
Kisii County Women Rep, Dorice Aburi, who spoke about the significance of the Sexual Offences Amendment Bill 2023, said she has sponsored the bill in the National Assembly to eradicate harmful practices like FGM.
“In Parliament, I’ve initiated a conversation to culminate in the amendment of the Sexual Offences Bill, promoting countrywide awareness through the Ministry of Education on FGM, teen pregnancies, drug and substance abuse, and gender other issues,” she added.
Samburu West MP, Naisula Lesuuda, stated, “We must end the stigma faced by women from communities that practice FGM so they do not fear or be held back from assuming leadership, getting married, or participating in other important societal matters.”
Her Samburu counterpart, Pauline Lenguris, said it was worrying that men were involved in making decisions that affect the lives of women while disregarding their implications.
“Why do men decide on our reproductive health, the number of children we should have,” she asked.
“I believe our women are still suffering greatly, as their reproductive health is almost entirely controlled by men, though much awareness has been raised.”
Echoing her sentiments, nominated Senator, Hamida Kibwana, urged Kenyan youth to play a foremost role in ensuring gender equity.
“I am very pleased with the advocacy we have seen from young people, particularly Gen Z. Can we have Gen Z play a vital role in protecting the rights of girls and women?” said senator Kibwana.
The Figures
The latest report by the Kenya Demographic & Health Survey (KDHS) in 2022, put the prevalence of FGM in the country at 15%.
The survey indicates that FGM prevalence generally increases with age where 9 per cent of women aged 15-19 have undergone circumcision as compared to 23 per cent of women aged 45-49.
While these numbers show improvement from surveys conducted in 2014 and 1998, when prevalence rates were 21 per cent and 38 per cent respectively, worry is that many girls are still subjected to this practice despite it being outlawed.
The Break the Blade campaign aims to mobilize support and action against this dehumanizing ritual by sensitizing the public that FGM robs millions of girls their childhood and future.
“Every cut, every scar, is a violation of a girl’s fundamental rights. Every blade broken is a life saved from irreversible trauma,” said Herman.
“That’s why we are doing this—as a reminder and call to action for people to stand with us.”
She said that the practice has over 230 million survivors, hence need to confront the vice with a united front and unwavering firmness.
