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{
"id": 441707,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/441707/?format=api",
"text_counter": 13,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 15,
"legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
"slug": "aden-duale"
},
"content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, since the enactment of the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act in 2011 several cases have been reported to the law enforcement agencies as indicated below. In December, 2011 in Long’isa Township, Bomet County, six mothers and one circumciser were arrested for circumcising their daughters. The mothers were charged at the Bomet Law Court and jailed for four days. The circumciser was jailed for six months and released under a presidential pardon. In December, 2011, again in Bomet County, two young mothers and seven girls were forcefully circumcised. The mothers of these girls were arrested and young men demonstrated leading to the burning of the Chief’s office. The ring leaders were arrested and charged and later released on bond. In 2012 in Meru County, six girls were circumcised and hidden resulting in the case stalling. In 2012, in Kyuso Sub-County, Kitui County, five girls between the ages of 13 and 18 were rescued from being circumcised. The cases are many and so I will table the document. The third question was whether or not the Government has been complying with the law, particularly requirements of Section 27 of the law, which requires the Government to protect women and girls from FGM and provide support service to victims of FGM. The Government has taken the following measures. (I) In March, 2014 the DPP appointed 20 officers to handle cases of FGM and sensitize the public on FGM legislation. The following counties are targeted by the office of the DPP: Narok, Kajiado, Nairobi, Baringo, Kisii, Garissa, Meru, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kilgoris, Taita Taveta, Maralal, Kuria, Tana River, Marsabit, Mandera and Wajir. Secondly, the law enforcement officers have been taking action to prevent and respond to FGM cases. The cases that the Government has dealt with are tabulated. (2) The rescuing of girls escaping from FGM and early marriage and placement in child protection centres mainly in Migori, Baringo, and Kajiado counties has started. (3) There has been established of the mechanism and strong networks such as area advisory councils under the Children’s Department to deal with FGM and early marriage. (4) The establishment of sexual and gender-based violence networks across the country was what contributed to the rescue of girls, arrest of the perpetrators and follow- up of the cases. Certain reports have been found in Kuria, Baringo, Mount Elgon, Naivasha, Migori, West Pokot and Nairobi. Complications arising from FGM include excessive bleeding infections. This has led to the establishment at the Kenyatta National Hospital of the Gender-based Violence Unit; this unit is also found in Nyeri, Eldoret and Migori. All these hospitals have Gender-based Violence Units. There has also been sensitization during various events such as the International Day on Zero Tolerance to FGM. This is a day we observe. We also have 16 days of activism against violence against women, the International Women’s Day, which is observed annually to highlight on FGM and early girl marriage, sensitization of communities, including men, women, girls and boys in high prevalence counties. The statistics for some of the counties on FGM prevalence are as follows: In North Eastern region 97.6 per cent; Kisii 96 per cent; Maasai 73 per cent; Meru 45 per cent; Embu 51 per cent; Kuria and Pokot over 90 per cent. This is as per the Kenya Demographic Health Survey of 2009. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}