#FGM: Women activists push to end FGM in Karamoja

Jun 05, 2019

A couple of weeks ago local leaders in the two districts signed a declaration to end FGM by 2030.

Women activists have asked leaders in Moroto and Amudat districts to honour the commitment to end female genital mutilation, describing it as a violent and harmful practice to girls and women.
 
A couple of weeks ago local leaders in the two districts signed a declaration to end FGM by 2030.
 
At a sensitization meeting in Acori-cori and Angarap villages in Looro and Amudat sub-counties in Amudat district, the programme officer for the National Women Organisation of Uganda - NAWOU Losikin Merab said ending FGM was significant.
 
She said the archaic culture had impacted a lot on issues of promoting gender equality and maternal health amongst the communities.
 
Merab said that FGM was dangerous adding that its health effects were irreversible on childbearing and future opportunities of the girl-child.
 
She called on the Pokot to embrace the positive culture saying these are the ones that can help us develop.
 
"The law is very clear, can never be changed with serious implications," Merab noted.
 
The member of safe learning committee -SELECO charged with school campaigns at Amudat district Joyce Alungat said FGM was not about in Amudat but a lot needs to be done on the ground.
 

 A Pokot elder speaking at the meeting.PHOTO: Olandason Wanyama

 "Having a law is not just enough but the government needs to do its homework," she said.
 
Alungat said a lot has been done by a non-governmental organisation to eliminate FGM but it's still viral.
 
"It is a serious virus that requires serious anti-virus to eradicate," she noted.
 
Alungat added that the practice that involves the removal of female genitalia remains and cannot be wiped out in the next few years.
 
Alungat advised the government to engage the LCs, villagers and the security organs to handle the matter diligently.
 
 The district vice chairperson Dorcas Chalain said in order to end the practice," we are looking at engaging local leaders at the grass root levels as whistleblowers,
 
"We just have to build a protective atmosphere for the girl child," she said adding that schools must be in place as rescue areas.
 
Chalain appealed to the police to toughen the implementation of the anti- FGM laws, asking stakeholders to effectively fight the centennial culture.
 
According to an FGM survey, 2016 more than 43.4 percent of the girls and women who are alive today in Amudat have undergone FGM in the four main sub-counties of the district. They comprise Amudat, Looro, Karita and Amudat town council. 
 

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