Ministry on high alert as FGM month draws closer

Peace Mutuuzo, the minister of state for gender and culture, has said that they are on a high alert as the month for Female Genital Mutilation/ Cutting (FGM) draws closer. 

December 1st to 31st is gazetted for cultural festivities in the Sebei region. 2022 is an even year and it is a period when circumcision, especially male circumcision is conducted.  Reports have shown that during these periods, many women are cut. 

Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre today, Mutuuzo said they are on a high alert but quickly said they need new approaches to tackle the vice since the practicing areas are vast and hard to reach. 

“We need new approaches and renewed zeal because the situation is still bad. Every one of us has a role to play,” she said 

She noted that despite efforts from government and international partners to eliminate the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), it has persisted and continues to be practiced in the Sebei and Karamoja region. 

Mutuuzo noted that while the efforts, which started in 2009, have managed to reduce the National prevalence from 1.4% in 2011 to 0.3% in 2016, the rate remains high in the two regions. 

The prevalence rate in Karamoja is currently estimated at 50% while the Sebei region has 20%. 

 “We are therefore concerned that FGM continues to be one of the most persistent, pervasive and silently endured human rights violations in the practicing communities,” she said. 

She said that even with the FGM law in place, there are emerging trends such as medicalization of FGM and the involvement of Traditional Birth Attendants that need to be addressed. 

“We shall use the current FGM phase to review the FGM Law and/or its regulations in view of the new clandestine methods of cutting exhibited in the last two years; including medicalization and the role of Traditional Birth Attendants in cutting women during delivery,” she said. 

She said the government’s priorities as regards to the fight against FGM in the next five years will include among others, identification of an alternative rite of passage to replace the practice. 

During the press briefing, she also revealed that on April 20th, Uganda will commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance of FGM at Kapchorwa District headquarters under the theme, “accelerating investment to end female genital mutilation”. 

Every year, the commemoration is held on February 6, but due to COVID, Uganda had to postpone the event.