|
DC warns FGM perpetuators
2006-04-10 08:45:20
By Privatus Lipili, PST, Dodoma
The government will relentlessly prosecute people who perpetuate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) until the vice is uprooted completely from society.
Dodoma Rural District Commissioner Zainabu Kwikwega said yesterday at Mundemu Ward here that the government was committed to ensuring young girls are not abused through such acts as FGM among other evil practices.
The DC was speaking at a ceremony where she handed over certificates to 280 young people after they had finalized life skill studies.
She said the studies would enable them face their teenagehood with confidence and make the right decisions.
She added that with the learnt skills, the young people would be able to be ambassadors of hope in bringing economic, social and political changes.
The youngsters were from Gogo tribe, which predominantly believes in female circumcision as a way of life.
The government has put in place laws that prevent any society in the country to conduct FGM on female children, she said.
’The government is aware some people still practice FGM. This means they are still breaking the law, hence they are criminals who should be prosecuted,’ she said.
’Let me give those who continue with the evil practice a warning - there are laws that prohibit FGM. If you are caught perpetuating the vice you will be swiftly prosecuted,’ he said.
In her speech read on her behalf by the District Administrative Secretary, Anaclet Mushashu the DC called on the society to shun old and destructive customs as they impede development.
On her part, AFNET Tanzania Director, Sara Mwaga who was co-ordinating the course said about 150 boys and 130 girls participated in the course.
She said her NGO will continuously help other societies that have similar customs in the country to abandon such bad customs.
’AFNET still wants to expand its services to all regions in coming years. But currently is in nine regions - Dodoma, Morogoro, Singida, Dar es Salaam, Coast, Iringa, Kilimanjaro, Arusha and Manyara,’ she said.
|
