MADEGE STORY-STOP FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
District Community Development Officer for the Serengeti Region Dr Sami Wambura, urged the government of Tanzania to increase more efficient to eradicate the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) which is a violation of the human rights of young women and girls that has been illegal in Tanzania since 1998, punishable by law which the criminal charges against practitioners of it can lead to 15 years of imprisonment.
Speaking to reporters in two days seminar of fighting against FGM,Dr Wambura said the December rains mark the beginning of the cutting season, where girls as young as 11 years are forced to undergo FGM as a rite of passage into womanhood, in order to be eligible for marriage and lucrative dowries. Village Elders believe even numbered years are the most auspicious for FGM.
“The safehouse can only accommodate 40 girls. But they are fleeing from their parents where else will they go?” Wambura was referring to the sudden influx of girls seeking refugee from the illegal practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Dr Wambura mentioned regions the most affected areas include Arusha, Kilimamnjaro, Dodoma, Singida, Mara and Morogoro regions,other regions include Iringa, Mbeya, and Zanzibar. According to Tanzania health statistics, FGM affects 18 percent of the female population in Tanzania.
Women have little choice in the practice of this ancient ritual despite the physical and
Psychological harm. The practice is seen as necessary preparation for woman’s marital and
family responsibilities. There are social stigmas associated with women who are not circumcised such as woman not operated on will suffer ill health, disease and be affected by a taboo. Traditionally males are strongly prohibited from marrying into a family where women do not undergo female genital mutilation.