Tony Mwebia and Eliud Muindi hold the view that men have a bigger role to play in the fight against the vice.
“Men believe that girls who have undergone female genital mutilation will attract more dowry in terms of cows. We need to change the mindset that girls who have undergone female genital mutilation are more attractive, beautiful, well mannered, faithful and respectful,” Mwabia said in a WHO press statement.
Muindi attributes the popularity of FGM in certain communities to myths that girls are more likely to be married if they have undergone the practise – even though there are no health benefits to the practice.
Though they work separately, the duo are ardent campaigners against female genital mutilation and promoting the rights of girls and women.
They also believe, to break through the myths it will take a critical mass of men.
Joyce Lavussa,a reproductive health expert with the World Health Organization is optimistic that the increased high-level advocacy efforts by such men will finally bear fruits.
“We need to provide both the technical and financial support for systems strengthening. We also need to support community engagement and social accountability as we work towards the abandonment of female genital mutilation,” Joyce said.
Female genital mutilation is a global public health concern, affecting at least an estimated 200 million girls and women with lifelong damage or complications, including severe pain, excessive bleeding, infections (such as tetanus), urinary problems, psychological problems and life-threatening circumstances for pregnant women and their babies during labour.
WHO has advocated for enactment and better enforcement of laws against the practice and its health-care worker training. The organization is also researching the psychological impacts on girls, women and men in high-prevalence countries to generate evidence for better management of the long-term consequences and for strengthening prevention efforts.