Despite the government’s efforts to end female genital mutilation, the practice is still rife among some communities such as the Kuria of Migori county.
Many girls are already being prepared to undergo the cut. This is due to the ignorance of some parents who still believe that this is the right thing to do to secure their daughters' futures.
The cut is usually done as a religious practice or a coming-of-age ritual, cultural practice and is seen to guard a girl’s purity or make her more attractive to her potential husband.
Some girls agree to undergo the cut due to the stigma against uncircumcised girls. This this has been the biggest impediment to ending the practice in some communities. Most men prefer marrying circumcised girls to avoid the stigma from their community.
According to Unicef, at least 200 million girls and women alive today in Africa have undergone FGM. FGM is a violation of girls' and women’s human rights.
The cut may lead to severe bleeding, urinating problems, cysts, infections, complications during childbirth and increased risks of newborn deaths.
In societies where FGM is the norm, it is believed that the cut gives women social status. They also believe that women have more and better marriage opportunities and also a better chance of bearing more children.
Women who are not cut are deemed less attractive to a potential mate and therefore less likely to bear children. They are seen as unclean; they also face challenges like people not eating the food they have prepared and are called names like dirty and spiritually impure.
The government should continue to take action against those practising FGM. It should also educate girls and parents on the dangers of FGM. Religious leaders also should partner with government in creating awareness in order to end this outdated culture.
