UN chief Ban Ki-moon to visit Kenya on anti-FGM campaign

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He is expected to arrive in Kenya on October 29, 2014 for a two-day visit to launch a global media campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). FILE PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The UN chief is due to arrive in Kenya on October 29, 2014 for a two-day visit.
  • A global drive to end female circumcision was initiated in February by the London-based Guardian newspaper.
  • Leading Kenyan media houses will be taking part in the launch in Nairobi of an African campaign against the practice.
  • Mr Ban has previously participated in a number of events related to campaigns against FGM.

New York/United Nations

The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plans to travel to Nairobi next week to launch a global media campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM).

The UN chief is due to arrive in Kenya on October 29, 2014 for a two-day visit that will include talks with President Uhuru Kenyatta, the UN announced on Friday.

Mr Ban will be accompanied by World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, who will also meet top Kenyan officials.

A global drive to end female circumcision was initiated in February by the London-based Guardian newspaper.

Leading Kenyan media houses will be taking part in the launch in Nairobi of an African campaign against the practice, a UN spokesperson told Nation.co.ke.

PARTICIPATED IN RELATED CAMPAIGNS

Mr Ban has previously participated in a number of events related to campaigns against FGM.

“This is something he has taken to heart, and he will continue with those efforts,” said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for Mr Ban.

A resolution adopted in 2012 by the UN General Assembly denounced the cut as an irreparable, irreversible abuse that impacts negatively on the human rights of women and girls.

An estimated 125 million females have been cut in 29 countries in Africa and the Middle East where the practice is concentrated, the UN Population Fund reports.

The practice is illegal in Kenya but still occurs widely among some ethnic groups.

However, the UN says the prevalence of the cut among Kenyan women aged 15 to 49 dropped from 32 per cent in 2003 to 28 per cent in 2008.