This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
On June 27, 2020, Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service and Gender, Ms. Rachael Shebesh, met with local administrators in Narok town to discuss the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Shebesh reiterated President Kenyatta's directive to end FGM by 2022, emphasizing that it was the responsibility of every individual to work towards achieving this vision.
"It does not matter whether it is a cultural practice or not. What I know is that the President engaged all cultural leaders from the most affected communities who agreed to end FGM by the year 2022," said Shebesh.
Shebesh challenged the local administrators to arrest and prosecute those responsible for FGM, stating that 70% of their success would depend on their efforts.
"No medic has gone to school to study how to carry out FGM. This means even those parents who take their daughters to the hospital to be cut are on the wrong side of the law and both the medics and parents risk being prosecuted," she added.
Shebesh also encouraged the residents to apply for funds from the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), which she handed over a total of Sh14.65 million for.
At the same time, the Anti-FGM board Chair, Ms. Agnes Pareiyo, wondered why mothers would encourage their girls to undergo the cut at this 21st century, despite the practice having been proven to be of no benefit to the girls.
FGM is rampant in Narok County, with many cases going unreported as the mothers take their girls to far counties to escape the eyes of the local administration officers.
