Mandera County women have come together in a collective effort to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a practice that has for long affected young girls in the region.
FGM champions, mostly women, are calling for the total eradication of the harmful tradition and are urging fellow women to reject it.
While marking the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, mothers who have often been blamed for upholding the retrogressive culture are now at the forefront of advocating for its end.
Local residents have also joined the movement, strongly condemning the practice and emphasizing the need for urgent action to protect young girls.
Women in the county have expressed concerns that young girls lived in fear, not sure of their future due to societal neglect should they refuse to undergo FGM.
Dr. Aisha Hussein, a medical practitioner at Mandera County Referral Hospital, warned of the severe health risks associated with FGM, stressing that the complications cannot be ignored.
“FGM has devastating health consequences, including infections, complications in childbirth, and even death. It is a practice that we must eliminate,” she stated.
She called upon women to rally in large numbers to spread awareness and educate communities about the dangers of the practice.
“Women must take the lead in protecting their daughters. We need to speak up, educate our communities, and ensure that this harmful tradition is abandoned for good,” she urged.
Speaking at the event, Mandera Assistant County Commissioner Patrick Messo issued a stern warning to parents involved in FGM, stating that they would face severe legal consequences.
He also urged local leaders to report any cases of FGM to authorities, to ensure swift action against perpetrators.
Messo emphasized that FGM could lead to fatal health complications for girls, making it imperative to eradicate the practice.
Various organizations and civil society institutions across Mandera County have been actively involved in fighting FGM, making a significant impact in communities where the practice remains prevalent. However, despite these efforts, the challenge remains substantial.
In Mandera County, over 70% of women aged 15-49 have undergone FGM, a statistic that highlights the urgent need for intensified awareness and intervention.
While the National Government has prioritized ending FGM as a key goal, eradicating the practice continues to be a daunting task.
Local activists and authorities remained hopeful that through persistent advocacy and community engagement, FGM would soon become a thing of the past in Mandera County.
By Adan Mohamed