This archive report was first published on 20 August 2021.
On August 20, 2021, a 22-year-old woman from Murpus sub-location in West Pokot County was allegedly assaulted by a fellow woman due to her refusal to undergo female genital mutilation (FGM).
The victim, a form four student at Werpo Ortum secondary school, has been stigmatized by her fellow women who claim she is not supposed to talk before them because she has not undergone the cut.
During a weekly chama meeting at her neighbor's home, the situation escalated when the woman attacked her, beating her up and biting her thumb finger, accusing her of airing her views without undergoing FGM.
According to the victim, Sylvia Chepting, she had suggested to her fellow women to arrive early for the meeting, but her statement did not go well with one of the neighbors, who turned violent and shut her down.
"My neighbor came late and I questioned why. She turned violent and shut me down telling me I go get circumcised before addressing her. She descended on me with kicks and blows," Sylvia narrated.
The victim added that the woman bit her right hand's thumb finger and told her she would take her to the cutter for her to be circumcised.
Fortunately, her neighbors intervened and saved her life, and she reported the incident to the area chief, who assured her that the suspect would be arrested.
