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Women undergoing FGM to sell parts to miners - study
2008-02-08 08:58:36
By Rose Mwalongo, Dodoma
A research conducted by a non-governmental organisation has revealed that some elderly women undergo genital mutilation willingly and later sell the mutilated parts to miners who use them in witchcraft beliefs to get minerals.
Revelations about witchcraft-related FGM incidents were reported in Dodoma on Tuesday by African Network against Female Genital Mutilation (AFNET).
Speaking at a seminar ahead of the International Day for Zero Tolerance on FGM, AFNET officer Sara Mwaga said a research carried out in Manyara Region indicated that older women undergo mutilation and sell the mutilated parts to witchdoctors.
Mwaga further said it was sad to note that some people had now opted to mutilating infants secretly.
A representative from the Christian Council of Tanzania, Mary Haji, said FGM was against Christian beliefs, adding that there was nowhere in the Bible where female mutilation is allowed.
``FGM is against God\'s teachings. The practice endeavors to please the devil and not God,`` said Haji.
She called upon religious leaders to preach against the practice with all their strength.
Hemed Hemed from the Muslim Council of Tanzania in Dodoma said Islam did not condone outdated traditions.
``Islamic teachings prohibit a person to harm himself or another person. FGM is harmful. It is unacceptable by our beliefs,`` Hemed said.
Speaking at the seminar, a lawyer from the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association, Johari Lweno, said police should collaborate with people seeking help against FGM instead of creating a wall.
``Sometimes people are scared to report FGM incidents due to unfriendly reception by law-enforcers. Let police officers be positive to curbing the practice,`` said Lweno.
Jennifer Chiwute from a non-governmental organisation, DIAC, said the government should enact laws which will protect women over 18 years from mutilation, saying the present law protects only children under 18 years of age.
``Children are assets to the society. Let us protect them and make sure justice prevails whenever their rights are violated,`` said Chiwute.
Reports from human rights organisations indicate that 130 million women have been mutilated all over the world, with two million being mutilated annually.
Recent reports indicate that some tribes have resorted to mutilating new born to avoid the long arm of the law.
Those involved in the practice are said to avoid sending their toddlers to clinic for the fear that medical personnel will find out about the practice.
Some infants lose their lives due to excessive bleeding while a few lucky ones survive while having to nurse the psychological and physical effects when they grow up.
The one-day seminar brought together members of a coalition against FGM, law-enforcers, non governmental organizations from various parts of the country with a goal to fight outdated traditions, especially FGM.
The event was organised by a coalition of organisations against FGM in the country.
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