Tools used during FGM// PHOTO COURTESY.
Measures have been taken to curb Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kuria West, Migori county
This comes in the wake of high cases of genital mutilation even as the war against this outlawed culture is being fought by authorities.
Kuria West Sub – County children officer, Mr. James Omondi while addressing the press said that a group of young boys and girls were paraded along the Isebania – Migori highway on the third week of November after undergoing circumcision, a ritual he noted, is always embraced by the Abakuria.
Two people linked to the illegal practice, according to Omondi, were arrested.
According to the organized investigations that were done recently, roughly 2000 girls have been taken for circumcision,in the previous month, an occurrence that discredits all the efforts that the relevant authorities in the community have been putting in to stop FGM.
In a report on the investigations,Omondi said that they have clear records of the FGM cases which are being used to build concrete evidence to prosecute those involved.
He also mentioned the most recent developments in their struggle to fight FGM. He informed the press that they already have twelve parents to girls who have been victims to FGM held in custody, who will be taken to court to plead their cases.
“One of the main challenges that our investigation team is going through is that most of these girls try to protect their parents or rather are too scared to admit the involvement of their parents. They deny every allegations made towards their parents,which puts my team at crossroads,because it’s quite challenging to get first hand evidence,if they don’t cooperate, but still,that does not let the parents off the hook because they are obligated to protect their children from FGM as indicated in Anti-FGM Act 2011.” James told the press
He made it clear that whoever will be found perpetuating the act,by being involved either directly or indirectly will have to face the law. “We are putting in place various measures that will help us in dealing with such cases in the coming days,and if possible,eliminate the practice ultimately.” He concluded
