The Nakuru Catholic Church is advocating alternatives ways to female genital mutilation to tame retrogressive cultures.
Sister Mary Mwangi from St Francis Diocese, Lare, Njoro Sub-County who is spearheading a programme to educate residents on the dangers of ‘female cut’, said FGM as a traditional rite of passage to girls has been overtaken by events.
“Cutting women is now a backward event and should not be entertained in modern society,” said Sr Mwangi, adding, “It’s time that we should think of giving up the long practiced tradition.”
Sr Mwangi who is trying to change the perspective of Lare community on ‘female cut’ said there are other safer alternatives to rites of passage.
“We have been holding seminars in our church where girls aged between 12 and 16 years are brought together and given moral advice,” the nun said.
Speaking on Thursday at the church premises during preparations for the forthcoming girls’ seminar, Sr Mwangi said the Catholic Church has coached over 8,000 girls who have escaped the ‘cut’.
“Our intention is to change the community’s perspective on FGM and embrace better methods to rites of passage,” said the Sister.
She has now called on residents to support the initiative to eradicate FGM.
However, she said the programme has been facing financial constraints and called on well-wishers to support it.