Days of FGM numbered as House grants Hon. Byamukama leave to introduce Private Members’ Bill on its prohibition
EALA has granted leave to Hon. Dora Byamukama to introduce a Bill entitled the East African Community Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2016.
The Bill which outlaws the cultural practice is seen as critical and in essence numbers the days of those that still engage in the cultural practice.
Hon. Byamukama states that the culture of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) brings with it a number of complications including early child marriage and defilement, health complications that sometimes lead to transmission of HIV and AIDS, death and injuries to those who bear the practice.
According to Hon. Byamukama, with the advent of the Common Market Protocol which necessitates free-movement and cross-border nature, the influence of culture and hence spread is expected to increase if not checked.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Judith Pareno remarked that surveys show an estimated 200 Million women in 27 countries in the Continent have undergone FGM. Hon. Saoli ole Nkanae noted that the practice is prevalent among the Maasai people in East Africa, terming it a serious matter. Also rising in support of the Motion was Hon. Frederic Ngenzebuhoro.