The police in Sipi region, has intensified its operations in Kween district after charges 18 for aiding and abetting female genital mutilation (FGM) in the area.
According to police spokesperson Fred Enanga, the charged persons include a 50 year old ring leader Irene Cherop a resident of Kongilel village, Kaptum sub county in Kween district. The group was arrested, after police foiled their plans to conduct FGM activities in the village.
“We have noted that the recent cases of FGM stem from a concept of family honor, where only mothers who had undergone FGM, were deemed suitable to grace the male circumcision ceremony of their son’s in 2018. As a result mothers started allowing their daughters to undergo FGM as a way of protecting their future,” Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said at police Naguru police headquarters.
He said there is further efforts to trace for victims in three various villages of Kwoser, where seven girls where allegedly circumcise and Binyiny where more seven girls are averred to have been gone through the illegal cultural practice.
“The police is committed to fighting FGM, and the successful prosecution of the perpetrators including parents, husbands and victims who mutate themselves, will act as deterrents,” he said.
Mr. Enanga said they have established contacts with influential community members and other stakeholders to challenge the practice, tasked teachers, health and social care professionals to report cases of FGM once established in the course of their duties in schools and hospitals.