101.4 Elgon FM

Anelka Egonda

Health

04 December, 2023

976

Activists want government to popularize the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Act of 2010.

The act criminalizes those who mutilate or attempt to mutilate girls or women, and those who seek to undergo FGM. FGM is common in Karamoja and Sebei sub regions, which comprises the districts of Amudat, Nakapiripirit, Moroto, Kween, Kapchorwa, Bukwo, among others.

Cherotich Febia a senior community development officer at Kapchorwa District Local Government says despite government rolling out the law with all its intended benefits, many people are not aware of it. Cherotich says there is need for government to popularize the FGM Act to enable the community understand the repercussions.

Speaking at a consultative meeting on teenage pregnancies, child marriages and female genital mutilation at Pretoria Hotel in Mbale City, Josephine Akello the regional human rights officer under Uganda Human Rights Commission said they have agreed to work hand in hand with local governments and civil society actors to create awareness of the FGM Act.

Beatrice Cheptoek, one of the victims of FGM from Kapchorwa District explains that she experienced pain during sexual intercourse and often bled a lot. Cheptoek says she is now championing the fight against FGM but faces many challenges including threats to her life.