It is so unfortunate that we still have to talk about the evils and dangers of Female Genital Mutilation in this time and era. While other parents are busy securing the future of their young daughters by taking them to the best schools and ensuring they lack nothing, some criminals in Pokot are hell bend on this outdated tradition that is not only healthy but also inhumane.
According to the World Vision, some parents in West Pokot are taking their girls for circumcision in neighbouring Uganda to evade arrest and prosecution. The organisation’s coordinator in the county Titus Kaprom said they have established that several girls have undergone the cut secretly.
Kaprom was speaking on Sunday after a one-week training on alternative rite of passage at Wanyoi Primary school where 450 young girls and boys between the age of 13 to 18 graduated.
“Since the law is very harsh in our country some girls escape to Uganda and come back when they are fully healed,” he said.
“Despite the rate of FGM reducing in the area, the practice is still rampant in some areas like North and Central Pokot,” he added.
He said they have incorporated young boys in the program to understand the importance of marrying a girl who has not gone through circumcision.
“We take them through a mentorship program and dialogue forum for long-term behaviour change during April, August and in December they graduate and they are awarded certificates,” he said.
“In an area like Orwa and Marich FGM is at 75%, in Sook it has reduced from 84 to 69% while in areas like Masol and Kasei The rate is still high,” he said.