Ban Ki-moon’s media campaign right way to enhance fight against FGM

The planned visit by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to Nairobi to launch a global media campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) is timely. 

Mr Ban, who is due in Kenya this week, has been persistent in calling for an end to outdated cultural practices.

One of his priorities is to help to empower women and girls by promoting their health and defending their rights.

The media, teachers, and provincial administrators have a vital role to play in helping educate parents on the dangers of FGM, a practice that demeans, dehumanises, and injures in the name of tradition.

We should strive to preserve the best in our cultures and abandon practices that are harmful.

It is surprising that even after campaigns over the years, young girls and even women are still being subjected to the rite in some parts of the country even though the practice is illegal.

It is unfortunate that some chiefs, who are mandated to enforce the law, are reported to be colluding with parents to allow the rite.

Female circumcision was made illegal in 2001 after the government outlawed FGM among girls under the age of 18.

However, despite these efforts, FGM is still common in many parts of the country and there are relatively few prosecutions.

The law criminalises female genital mutilation and tough action should be taken against those who still practise it.

GOVERNMENT'S COMMITMENT

The establishment of the Anti-FGM Board, chaired by former assistant minister Linah Jebii Kilimo, demonstrates the government’s commitment to the war against the practice.

Mrs Kilimo’s work has been fundamental in the fight against FGM. She has been instrumental in heightening political will to address the issue, serving as an outstanding model for women, girls, and activists both in Kenya and internationally.

The former minister now has an unprecedented opportunity to devote her talents and experiences to the elimination of this violation of the rights of women and girls.

To contain the menace, the Anti-FGM Board should launch campaigns that involve men to create awareness in all people of the dangers the rite poses.

This is because one of the reasons girls are subjected to FGM is to make them “suitable” for marriage, therefore men’s support is necessary to enforce the law against the harmful practice.

A change in the attitude of men is vital in helping to fight the practice. Men and boys should be encouraged to publicly support and take part in ceremonies for alternative rites of passage, which are designed to replace the need for FGM.

Politicians are doing little to actively combat FGM.

Despite the anti-FGM law, most parliamentarians have been reluctant to discuss FGM.

It appears that the leaders fear losing political support and risking isolation by their peers if they openly speak against the practice. 

CONCERTED EFFORT

Unlike other gender issues such as access to education, FGM is viewed as one cultural practice which, if threatened, endangers the cohesion of a community.

Although laws alone are not enough to end the practice, there is a need for concerted effort by political leaders, churches, NGOs to fight it.

The government cannot single-handedly monitor adherence to anti-FGM laws. It needs the support of other stakeholders.

A negative cultural activity such as FGM can be changed without disrupting the positive underlying social value that it represents.

The World Vision’s alternative rite of passage, in collaboration with church organisations, has greatly reduced cases of FGM in Kerio Valley.

The initiative, has promoted new ways for girls to be initiated into adulthood without undergoing circumcision. 

Public awareness programmes are gradually changing people’s attitude about female circumcision and many people are now coming forward to reject the vice.

Changing an age-old tradition that is embedded in a people’s culture is not simple. Communities that advocate FGM resist change because they fear that their customs are threatened.  

The UN secretary-general’s decision to involve the media in the war against FGM is timely and a move in the right direction. After all, education is the key to eliminating FGM.

Mr Kaino works for the Deputy President’s Press Service. ([email protected])