By Enock Okong’o
Principal Secretary (PS) for Gender and Public Service Aisha Jumwa has told parents to shun Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and instructed Chiefs and their assistants to arrest those who continue to perpetrate the vice.
The PS who addressed the public in Migori County during the Anti-FGM International Day on Monday noted that the rite was a violation of children’s rights and an outdated practice.
“This is an archaic cultural practice that must be fought by everyone in order to safeguard the well-being of our children,” she said.
She highlighted psychological pain, haemorrhage and bacterial infections as some of the negative effects of FGM, adding that it catalyzed early pregnancies and forced marriages.
Jumwa noted that the hard hit areas were Kuria East and West sub counties.
In Nyamira County, Masaba North sub county Director of Education Gabriel Ogada decried the secret practice of FGM in the area.
He blamed nurses and clinical officers for colluding with parents to cut their daughters at night.
The Director called on the Church, community policing leaders and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to reinforce anti-FGM efforts by the government for the sake of children’s education and development.
His sentiments were echoed by Uongozi wa Utu Community Based organization CEO Ednah Kemunto.
She revealed that some ignorant parents had started performing the act in their houses to escape arrest from the police.
Kemunto said that her group will continue to discourage the practice and warned perpetrators that their days were numbered.
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