It is estimated that 18 per cent of all women in Tanzania are victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The government has enacted a law banning the practice but its implementation has been left to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations (CBOs). Do you think the government is being fair?

NO. The government is being very unfair when it leaves this war to activists alone.
What we had expected from the government was, apart from enacting the law that
prohibits FGM, that it would have committed enough resources and established an
institution to spearhead the war. With HIV/AIDS there is TACAIDS, NACP and other
programmes that are implemented at District Council levels but not with FGM. This is
not what was expected regarding a problem that is in itself a source of HIV infection.
Martha Samson – Midwife

NO. The government is not being fair as far as the war against FGM is concerned. I
think it is the responsibility of the government through its Ministry of Health in
collaboration with other institutions and stakeholders to conduct a vigorous
sensitization programme and training. Also those performing FGM as a way of
earning a living should be supported by the government to find alternative means of
income. It is only the government that can reach the communities and use the law to
arrest the defaulters.
Rabia Msengi – Teacher

NO. The government so far as I see it has not taken the stringent steps necessary
against the malpractice of FGM which makes it (the government) unfair. According to
experts, the allocation of resources mostly goes to elites for research proposals and
government coordinated programmes. Why does the government fail to commit such
funds to research on issues on FGM? There should be changes now. SADC member
states have declared that 10 per cent of the total national budget should be allocated
to the agricultural sector; the same should be the case with FGM.
Elina Mkira – Counsellor

YES. I think the government is fair. I am saying this because what it has done so far in
the war against FGM is substantial. First of all by enacting a law forbidding the
practice is an effort in itself. Secondly, to enforce the law, all Tanzanians must play
their roles. It is difficult for the government to spearhead this war single-handedly.
People should reveal all information of those involved in the malpractice so that
appropriate steps are taken against defaulters.
Egidio Kaula – Public employee

Compiled by Timothy Kitundu.