In Kenya, Someone Put A Petition Against The Female Genital Mutilation Ban. The Judge Dismissed It
There are many things that are scary- that global warming is causing climate change, that there are increasing instances of violence, that racism seems rampant – and these things should worry us. But we aren’t worried about this. As a society, a country and currently it seems like all of mankind, we are dismissive about these things with real consequence and are entirely focussed on, female pleasure. For anyone with a sane mind, female pleasure shouldn’t shake the very floor beneath their feet. But for many communities in India, Africa and Middle East, female genital mutilation is of utmost importance. For these communities, a tiny nerve ending that makes sex pleasurable for women is the cause of so much upheaval, they decided to do away with it entirely.
For the uninitiated, female genital mutilation (FGM) is the gruesome act, often done without any medical supervision, where a part or the whole clitoris is taken off. India, Africa and Middle East are some of the place where this practise continues unabated. Because this is more of a social issue than a criminal one, the act of female genital mutilation often takes place behind closed doors, the cutting performed by an older aunt, member of the family or community and is discussed in hushed tones outside of this. For this reason, the number of the FGM incidents is definitely under-reported.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Questions The Practice Of Female Genital Mutilation. It’s About Time!
Africanews spoke to @EqualityNow‘s Felister Gitonga who said it is “a good day for #women‘s rights” after #Kenya‘s High Court ruled to uphold a law against #FGM after a female doctor filed a petition to legalise it. pic.twitter.com/fxxzWhLKdG
— africanews ? (@africanews) March 17, 2021
In Kenya, female genital mutilation was banned in 2011. The act attracts a punishment of 3 years of imprisonment and a $2000 fine. And despite the horrific stories of female genital mutilation, recently a petition was filed in Kenya against the ban. The petition argued that the ban on FGM was unconstitutional and that adult women should be able to do what they want with their bodies. Thankfully, the judge quickly dismissed it, “We find that limiting this right is reasonable in an open and democratic society, based on the dignity of women,” said judge Lydia Achode. “The amended petition is devoid of merit and hereby dismissed.”
Closer home in India, voices against female genital mutilation are getting louder. Girls from the community, now in different professions are voicing their protest against this act which violates consent and can often traumatise a young girl. However, despite vociferous arguments against the practise, there is no law banning it in India.
