Even though female genital mutilation (FGM) is outlawed by the Kenyan Constitution of 2010 as a violation of children’s rights, it persists partly due to the widespread lack of male engagement, as men are excluded from interventions despite being normally perceived as the heads and decision-makers of most households in most communities especially in sub-Sahara Africa.
Judging by statistics from a released report by Unicef which projects that over 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM, indicating a tremendous increase of this practice by 15 per cent reflecting a 30 million increase globally, calling for concerted efforts in fighting this harmful practice.
FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external genitalia for non-medical reasons, harming girls psychologically, physically, and mentally. Men hold a vital role in combating FGM, despite the vice being considered a women’s issue it also affects men indirectly because they are their sisters, wives and daughters who are being subjected to this harmful culture that dims their future and exposes them to health risks.
Men participate and act as lawyers and judges in kangaroo courts to settle informal hearings of FGM cases that cheaply grant violators freedom. Men also play a crucial role during FGM celebrations in ferrying girls to the cutting points and also act as the potential guards of the cutters and girls to scare away the law enforcers and human rights promoters who may want to rescue the vulnerable girls and women, thus promoting FGM. However, men on the other hand can be powerful champions in advocating for the end of this culture and come up with an alternative innocuous rite of passage as opposed to the harmful FGM.
Challenging the existing gender norms fueling gender inequality requires the input of men, this helps challenge the existing stereotypes which allow men to take control over women and girls. Men need to be encouraged to spearhead the journey of protecting their daughters, mothers, and partners from the dangerous harms inflicted by this harmful practice.
Fostering a positive mindset of men who actively criticise the practice of FGM can serve as champions and role models for the agemates, families, and the entire community. Proudly advocating for the abandonment of this deeply rooted culture in broad daylight shows compassion, respect, and promoting reproductive rights. This can be achieved by bringing men together and providing them with safe spaces to have open dialogue and educate each other on how to protect their sisters and daughters by giving them opportunities as boys and men to fight against FGM
Eradicating FGM requires a collective responsibility that underscores both women’s and men’s efforts. By sensitising the whole community including men, in addressing the root causes of FGM creating awareness, encouraging men to support their female children, and calling upon the collaboration between all stakeholders including, the government, civil society organisations, men and women in communities, will effectively help to combat FGM and promote the right of adolescent girls and young women who are at risk of undergoing FGM.
It is time for men to come out and condemn FGM publicly as it is a thing of the past.
The author is a youth advocate with NAYA Kenya in Migori County
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