Wendo Aszed who is the founder of Dandelion Africa addressing media at Mogotio on Tuesday during an anti-FGM campaign. [Photo: Pristone Mambili]
Retrogressive cultures and sympathizers of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) perpetrators have been cited as major challenges in the fight against the culture.
According to Wendo Aszed, who is the founder of Dandelion Africa, a lobby group for the fight against FGM and GBV, a section of administrators have been sympathizing with the perpetrators.
Speaking on Tuesday during awareness campaign on the effects of FGM held at Mogotio town, Wendo called on the administrators to work closely with stakeholders in handling the same.
She added that the retrogressive cultures have made it so difficult to deal with the issue with women now being forced to undergo FGM if they want to participate in other community activities.
“FGM is a major challenge in Mogotio and Rongai with over 50 women having undergone the same in Banita due to the culture that they cannot cook for their sons who are circumcised if they are not cut," she said.
Aszed is optimistic that if the local administrators will work closely with the other stakeholders to win the fight against FGM.
“We hope when we have the Dos and the chiefs and the administrators working together against the vice then we will succeed in the fight. As an organization we will continue to create awareness and ensure that the boy child is also included in the conversation,” said Aszed.
Over the last two years Dandelion Africa has been able to save at least 20 girls who were about to undergo the FGM.
Acting assistant county commissioner in Mogotio sub-county Emmah Naswa called on residents to cooperate with administrators in the fight.
“As administration we are just calling on residents to assist with information so that we can end this vice in our society,” she said.
Nations are marking 16 days of activism which commenced on 25th November and expected to come to a close on 10th December.