Ugandan girls and women are being mutilated in hospitals in neighboring Kenya and South Sudan, a senior government official has revealed.
The World Health Organisation defines female genital mutilation (FGM) as all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or another injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
The inhuman act is viewed as a pathway from childhood to adulthood so that girls can be married off.
In Uganda, FGM is a cultural practice among ethnic groups such as the Sabiny in Kapchorwa, Bukwo, and Kween districts, and the Pokot, Tepeth, and Kadam in Nakapiripirit and Amudat districts.
Ms. Mutuuzo said she got to know about the horrible stories of medicalized mutilation last year in September when she led a delegation of legislators on a field mission in the FGM practicing districts.
She said the evidence gathered from survivors and duty bearers necessitate sustainable funding against the practice.
Ms. Mutuuzo made the remarks while briefing journalists about this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation at the Uganda Media Centre yesterday.
She said whereas some girls and women were voluntarily seeking medical mutilation, others were being mutilated against their will during childbirth.
“Medicalised genital mutilation is not happening in Uganda. It is happening in the neighboring countries. Those who want to practice their culture thinking they are going to do it under safe environments travel to medical facilities either in Kenya or South Sudan,” she said.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is commemorated in February every year. However, Uganda will be observing this day today and the national celebrations will be held in Kapchorwa under the theme: “Accelerating investment at all levels to end Female Genital Mutilation”.
Prevalence
FGM prevalence rate is still high in Karamoja and Sebei sub-regions.
Although Uganda has been able to reduce the prevalence rate from 1.4 percent in 2011 to 0.3 percent in 2016 at the national level, the practice is high with Karamoja at 50 percent and Sebei at 20 percent.
‘‘We still have a lot to do to make FGM history by 2030,” Ms. Mutuuzo said, adding that the situation is worse in countries such as Ethiopia and Somalia where the prevalence stands at 98 percent.
Source: Monitor
