Refugees practicing FGM secretly in Kampala - UNFPA

Jun 06, 2017

FGM is an operation in which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed

Refugee communities have introduced Female Genital Mutilation in Kampala.

FGM is an operation in which the female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the aim of inhibiting a woman's sexual feelings.

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) focal person for global programme for FMG, Esther Cherop learnt that refugees from Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Nubian community are practicing FGM secretly in areas of Kampala.

"This means that the approach to ending FGM should not only focus on the traditional districts but there is a need to focus on vulnerable girls and women who are coming into the country," she said. Cherop however said that the refugees have been sensitized about the dangers of practicing FGM.

According to Uganda demographic and health survey (UDHS) 2011, the national prevalence of FGM stands at 1.4% among girls and women aged 15-49 years with the prevalence being at 2.4% in Sebei and 4.8% in Karamoja regions.

Other recent studies have shown a decline in the practice in the country. The report shows Bukwo at 28 %, Kween 21% and Kapchorwa 13% while Karamoja districts also show significant decrease from 95% and above in 2011 to 67% . The declining trends is attributed to the changing social norm of the community not supporting FGM.

Cherop further said FGM practice has changed the way it was done saying that it is no long in the open as it used to be but it is done under hiding. She added that the age groups are changing, citing an example of Sebei where married women that are practicing FGM with a few girls.

Government has put in place comprehensive legal and policy frameworks that support prohibition of FGM among them are the prohibition of FGM act 2010, Guidelines for prevention and response to FGM and FGM regulations 2013.

The In charge of Reproductive Health Uganda Kapchorwa district Nelson Sikoria said most of the women who are practicing FGM have a challenge of giving birth due to small openings , which does not expand adding that it is a reason why they are fighting FGM in order to reduce on maternal mortality rates. ENDS

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});