FGM Is Still Illegal – Kenyan Court Rules

FGM is illegal for both women and girls in Kenya. Despite the law, some traditions seem to contradict. These traditions argue that the removal of external female genitalia such as the clitoris reduces a woman’s desire for sex hence reduction of early pregnancies. 

Unfortunately, the communities practicing FGM are the ones most known for early marriages. The question is, what is the essence of FGM if forced marriage is encouraged?

Shockingly Tatu Kamau a female doctor wanted the FGM to be practiced legally claiming that women above 18 years have the right to do what they want with their bodies.

“Women who took their daughters for circumcision were not taking them there to destroy them. Those children were not thrown away afterward, they were celebrated as respected members of the society. To use the word in our context suggests that it is malicious and that we are intentionally damaging our females. To me, it is very wrong,” Kamau said.

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On Wednesday the court overruled the petition filed by Kamau. The court said that the evidence presented showed women who practice FGM, do not have a choice and it’s not their will.

The ruling by the three justices yesterday refused to allow FGM legalization arguing that that unlike male cut, it does not have health benefits and it reduces the well-being of a woman.

FGM can also cause death. The cut since not performed in a professional way can lead to overbreeding. Over 200 million girls and women worldwide are subjected to the practice. Kenya’s FGM act passed in 2011 states anyone found guilty of the practice could be sentenced to three years in jail.