Lack of funds for sensitisation keeps the ritual alive
Nov 05, 2010
BUKWO district vice-chairman John Chelangat says so many girls in Bukwo district are ready for the ritual partly because they have not been sensitised.
BUKWO district vice-chairman John Chelangat says so many girls in Bukwo district are ready for the ritual partly because they have not been sensitised.
“Some people think the law does not exist and others believe the law was made for people who refuse to be mutilated rather than those that accept willingly,†he adds.
Last year, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) promised to release about sh50m for sensitisation but up to now the anti-FGM campaigners are still waiting for the money.
Brenda Malinga of UNFPA admits they have not sent the funds to the districts because they are also funding about three bodies that are helping to get the law to work.
She says they are funding Reproductive Education and Community Health (REACH), an NGO fighting to eradicate FGM in Uganda to carry out community dialogue.
She promised UNFPA will disburse money to the districts for sensitisation in November.
But according to Beatrice Chelangat, the director of REACH, this is too late because FGM season starts in December.
Bugiri district has made strides. Wallace Foundation gave over sh100m to REACH and they have used the money to sensitise people.
Police vows stop the rituals
THE Police in the region have warned the community against FGM and vowed to arrest anybody involved, including the candidates, relatives or bystanders.
The Bukwo district Police commander, Michael Ongona, says he has already sent four officers to each of Bukwo’s 10 sub-counties to sensitise the people and also investigate FGM cases.
“We shall arrest the culprits. We are also having community dialogue and we believe we shall manage to kick FGM out of this region.â€
Moses Chemonges, a lawyer based in Mbale, who hails from Bukwo, says the law requires everyone to report the cases. “If anybody hides the information or is seen to be turning a blind eye to any FGM activity, that person is supposed to be charged for obstruction of justice,†he explains.
Chemonges, however, doubted whether the Police or local leaders have the capacity to arrest the culprits. “The Police are understaffed and some of them are sons of the soil, who believe in the practice,†he adds.
He says the circumcisers and mentors have not been compensated. “There was a programme to compensate them because they derive income from the girls whom they prepare and then circumcise. “If these people are not compensated, there will be no motivation for stopping FGM.â€
Sex is painful after FGM, says victim
Beyond the cut, a book by the NGO FEMRITE, documents the suffering of women who have undergone female circumcision.
Yemo of Bukwo wonders if women ever enjoy sex. For her it is always a painful experience. The most sensitive part of her private parts, which would enable her enjoy sex, was cut off during female circumcision. “I still bleed every time my husband and I meet. No matter how many times we have done it, no matter what we do, it never ceases to hurt,†says Yemo.
Judith was circucised in 1976. Since then, she has never had peace in her life.
“I was circucisized along with a cousin and a friend in 1976. The two died due to over-bleeding and related infections. I failed to walk and became permanently crippled.â€
Judith says she has also lived a very difficult and expensive life because she has to cover the medical costs to treat the bleeding she often gets.
She fears she may die any time. She prays that FGM is abolished because it is a danger to women.
Key facts about FGM
Possible effects
Excessive bleeding
Septic wounds
Bladder and urinary tract infections
Infertility
Painful sex
Tetanus
Childbirth complications
Difficult urination
Statistics
About 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM.
It is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15 years.
In Africa, about 92 million girls from 10 years of age and above have undergone FGM.
FGM is internationally condemned as a violation of the rights of girls and women.
It is practiced in over 20 countries of Africa, including Benin, Chad and Guinea.
“Some people think the law does not exist and others believe the law was made for people who refuse to be mutilated rather than those that accept willingly,†he adds.
Last year, the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) promised to release about sh50m for sensitisation but up to now the anti-FGM campaigners are still waiting for the money.
Brenda Malinga of UNFPA admits they have not sent the funds to the districts because they are also funding about three bodies that are helping to get the law to work.
She says they are funding Reproductive Education and Community Health (REACH), an NGO fighting to eradicate FGM in Uganda to carry out community dialogue.
She promised UNFPA will disburse money to the districts for sensitisation in November.
But according to Beatrice Chelangat, the director of REACH, this is too late because FGM season starts in December.
Bugiri district has made strides. Wallace Foundation gave over sh100m to REACH and they have used the money to sensitise people.
Police vows stop the rituals
THE Police in the region have warned the community against FGM and vowed to arrest anybody involved, including the candidates, relatives or bystanders.
The Bukwo district Police commander, Michael Ongona, says he has already sent four officers to each of Bukwo’s 10 sub-counties to sensitise the people and also investigate FGM cases.
“We shall arrest the culprits. We are also having community dialogue and we believe we shall manage to kick FGM out of this region.â€
Moses Chemonges, a lawyer based in Mbale, who hails from Bukwo, says the law requires everyone to report the cases. “If anybody hides the information or is seen to be turning a blind eye to any FGM activity, that person is supposed to be charged for obstruction of justice,†he explains.
Chemonges, however, doubted whether the Police or local leaders have the capacity to arrest the culprits. “The Police are understaffed and some of them are sons of the soil, who believe in the practice,†he adds.
He says the circumcisers and mentors have not been compensated. “There was a programme to compensate them because they derive income from the girls whom they prepare and then circumcise. “If these people are not compensated, there will be no motivation for stopping FGM.â€
Sex is painful after FGM, says victim
Beyond the cut, a book by the NGO FEMRITE, documents the suffering of women who have undergone female circumcision.
Yemo of Bukwo wonders if women ever enjoy sex. For her it is always a painful experience. The most sensitive part of her private parts, which would enable her enjoy sex, was cut off during female circumcision. “I still bleed every time my husband and I meet. No matter how many times we have done it, no matter what we do, it never ceases to hurt,†says Yemo.
Judith was circucised in 1976. Since then, she has never had peace in her life.
“I was circucisized along with a cousin and a friend in 1976. The two died due to over-bleeding and related infections. I failed to walk and became permanently crippled.â€
Judith says she has also lived a very difficult and expensive life because she has to cover the medical costs to treat the bleeding she often gets.
She fears she may die any time. She prays that FGM is abolished because it is a danger to women.
Key facts about FGM
Possible effects
Statistics
About 100 to 140 million girls and women worldwide are living with the consequences of FGM.
It is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15 years.
In Africa, about 92 million girls from 10 years of age and above have undergone FGM.
FGM is internationally condemned as a violation of the rights of girls and women.
It is practiced in over 20 countries of Africa, including Benin, Chad and Guinea.