THE United Nations Population Fund and a charity, Reproductive Education and Community Health, have partnered in a campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kapchorwa district.
The UN agency, the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council and the charity last week organised seminars to sensitise the youth and women leaders of Kapron and Tegeres sub-counties against the practice, which is rampant in the district.
The charity’s chairman, George William Cheborwon, said their mission was to promote the rights of every woman, girl and boy to enjoy equal opportunities in education and health.
“We want to continue the anti-genital mutilation campaign to cover as many Sabiny communities as possible in Kapchorwa and Karamoja.”
He added that one of the strategies was to initiate culture day celebrations. He called for the establishment of by-laws in districts against female circumcision to check the abuse of young girls.
The Kapchorwa deputy resident district commissioner, Mujunga Yanja, urged parents to ensure the education and health of the girl-child.
“Some young girls die because of genital mutilation. We are working with local leaders to ensure that the practice is halted.”
Mujunga was disappointed by parents in the rural areas who had insisted on circumcising their daughters.
The Government, he stated, had built schools and teachers’ houses to ensure that children in the region access quality education.
“The number of young girls undergoing female genital mutilation has declined and communities are demanding that the practice be outlawed,” noted Martha Cherotwo, a peer educator.
She added following intensive sensitisation of the elders, they had become some of the leading anti- FGM agents.
Author: Nicholas Kajoba
Source: allAfrica.com – 17 June 2008
