Uganda Bans Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (or ‘cutting’ as is more politically correctly known) has been banned in Uganda.

This practice of cutting off part or all of a girls clitoris and/or labia has been practiced for generations and it seems that Ugandans have finally admitted that “it is a disgusting act”.

Not only is the procedure itself terrifying and painful for young girls, but it “poses major health risks for girls and may lead to death. It also causes complications during sex and child birth” and may lead to “psychological and psychosomatic disorders”.

The new bill in Uganda gives 10 years in prison to those found still practicing it and if a death occurs there will be life imprisonment.

I am all for cultural relativity and respecting the rights of people to live as they will, but not for female genital mutilation that causes long-term physical and psychological problems.

I hope that Uganda is part of a greater trend and other African and Asian cultures who practice this will follow their lead and learn new ways to express their beliefs. Tradition solely for the sake of tradition is not a good idea but simply ignorance combined with a refusal to face the truth about what they are doing.

I’m sure that future generations of girls will be very thankful for this wonderful new bill being passed.