The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was observed on February 6, 2023 under the theme, ‘Partnership with men and boys to transform social and gender norms to end FGM".
According to data from the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, this internationally outlawed practice has caused serious injuries to the physical and mental health of over 200 million women and girls globally, out of which four million girls and women are in Kenya.
This has been ongoing despite the 2012 resolution by the United nations banning the practice of FGM.
Kenya appears to have made positive strides towards the elimination of FGM. In 2011, the government declared FGM an illegal practice. As a country, we might have missed the 2022 target set by President Uhuru Kenyatta, but we are on course and still within the time frame set by the Sustainable Development Goals for the eradication of FGM by 2030.
According to the latest Kenya Demographic Health Survey, 2022, the prevalence rate of FGM in the country went down from 21 per cent in 2014 to 15 per cent in 2022. With a little bit more effort, total elimination can be achieved. Indeed, a 2020 study by the UNFP and UNICEF returned the finding that 89 per cent of boys and men, and 92 per cent of girls and women are committed to ending FGM.
Unfortunately, some individuals are determined to ensure a continuation of the harmful practice despite its zero medical value for women. In 2017, for instance, petition was filed in court challenging the ban on FGM. In 2014, villagers in Kuria Constituency attacked police officers who had gone to enforce the FGM ban.
More recently, the Anti-FGM Board said there have been overt attempts by traditional groups in Central Kenya to bring back the outlawed practice.
That must not be allowed to happen. Concerted civic education on the dangers of FGM should be conducted countrywide, through schools, churches and mosques. Yet for this to succeed, there must be more commitment from both tiers of government.
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