Uganda People News: Government asked to convince communities against FGM

Ultimate Media

Uganda will on 6^th February, join the rest of the world to mark the global day against female genital mutilation with the aim of creating awareness about the dangers of FGM practice.

Women rights activists are calling upon the government to put in more effort in educating communities practicing FGM also known as female circumcision about the dangers of the practice.

In Uganda, FGM is mainly practiced by the Sabiny of Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts in the eastern parts.

All girls and boys in these communities are circumcised as a rite of passage, but several health complications have been reported by girls who are circumcised.

Tina Musuya, the Executive Director of Center for Domestic Violence Prevention says despite years of campaigns against FGM and a recent law banning the practice, many girls continue to be subjected to the practice.

Musuya says enforcing the law is not the only solution but engaging communities as well as teaching them other practices to substitute FGM will greatly help in phasing out the practice.

She says in countries like Niger, the government there used education and sensitisation to convince communities against the practice.

Health experts say that FGM increases chances of a woman facing difficulties in giving birth, not enjoying sexual intercourse among other health issues.