We must end FGM, it is a violation of our girl’s human rights

How can we have gender equality if we are still subjecting our girls to some barbaric cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)?

For the last seven years, St Peter's Kanjuki catholic parish in Tharakanithi county has been organizing alternative rites of passage training for girls where the numbers of the participant have been increasing yearly. This year alone 235 girls attended the one-week training and graduated on Saturday (14/12/2019). What a milestone! However, I felt sad just being part of that “graduation” ceremony. What if their parents forced them (girls) to go through Female Genital Mutilation? As children what powers do they have? Do they even know their rights? These are some of the questions I have been grappling with since then.

I am of the opinion that if this has to end then parents must be at the forefront of fighting FGM. But are they aware of the health implications and psychological torture that come due to such practices. Have they been trained or are we just trying to “westernize” them as they normally say?

The government is doing enough it is us the society who have failed our girls we are to blame for this. Arresting the traditional circumcisers is not the solution. Let us educate our communities on the dangers of FGM. Let us be open about it. Men must be willing to join this conversation. It should be #HeforShe, #EachforEqual, #GenerationEquality if we have to win. 

We must end FGM, it is a violation of our girl’s human rights. 

Say no to FGM.