Violence Against Women
MEMBERS of Parliament have described female genital mutilation (FGM) as brutal and called for more punishments to end the practice among the Karimojong and Sabiny.
The legislators made the remarks on Friday during celebrations to mark the 3rd Pokot Cultural Day at Pokot Secondary School in Amudat.
Henry Kitatta, the MP for Bukoto-mid West, who presided over the function, condemned the communities that still carry out the ritual and force underage girls into early marriages, saying it compromises their health.
He said the practice could lead to death due to excessive bleeding, transmission of HIV/AIDS and complications during birth.
However, the area MP Micah Lolem Akathile, stunned his colleagues when he called for the practice to stay.
He said female genital mutilation was a culture that has existed for centuries among the Pokot communities.
“l am not happy with the way the Government is handling anti-FGM campaign. My mother was circumcised but she was able to produce us,” he said.
He added that it was unwise to begin forcing the communities to erode their culture.
Akathile said FGM is meant to guard girls and women against prostitution.
He added that enforcing the law may not help if the communities have not perceived the idea. “You cannot begin arresting people without sensitising them on the dangers of FGM. We are causing trauma to a rich culture that has been in existence for hundreds of years,” Akathile said.