KAMPALA – The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has asked President Yoweri Museveni to speak up about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at the African Union in the campaign to end this vice in the practicing community.
The Speaker raised the concern while meeting with the Regional Director for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa Dr. Julitta Onabanjo at Parliament on Thursday where she said there is need for the President, to speak more about the FGM in the African union so as other presidents on the continent take up the campaign.
She said, “But we are committed as Parliament and ready to continue the battle. But I want to see heads of state speak more about this issue in the African Union, this issue is in many countries, I want them to speak about it there. The heads of states have to speak to make our work easier and also ensure that, he got interested in a man who defiled a student in school, that is the interest we want him to show to young children in Amudat, Sebei region.”
The Speaker also called on Government to construct more girls schools in areas where FGM is practiced so as are protected from the community that is forcing them for this vice.
Regional Director for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) East and Southern Africa, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo told the speaker they should continue focusing on the prevention of HIV/Aids among the community, noting that the availability of the treatment does not stop the effort on prevention especially in the young people.
