Mr.Vincent Sibilo understands that women and children face several obstacles due to their vulnerable exposure especially those from his region where culture still holds strong position. Although faced with cultural barriers, he stands out to try and influence a change of mind set dominating a section of his Baringo people in Kenya to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
FGM practices according to United Nations (UN) violates the girls’ rights to health, security, and physical integrity, their right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and their right to life when the procedure results to death. Due to these facts that are well known by Vincent, he is determined to keep on fighting and save as many girls as he can in his community.
“There are many diseases associated with FGM due to the way the practice is carried out. Most midwives are not properly trained to carry out the exercise. They are just traditional midwives without any surgery or medical training. Someone can loose a life due to negligency. Fistula condition as well is dominating as a result of the cut,” narrated Vincent.
Mr.Vincent Sibilo, a 36 years old Secretary at Kamoskoi Tingtingnyon Farming System has been vocal fighting all odds and championing for women rights which in most cases has put him in limbo. ‘To fight for women rights in my area especially as a man puts your position in the community in jeopardy. I am expected to keep our culture and teach the same to my children so that the culture grows from generation to generation. But in this case, I am saying that FGM practice is a bad culture.’
“In our case, FGM exist due to cultural believes that, women who have not undergone the cut are inferior- they are not women enough”
Baringo County is one of the 47 counties in Kenya located in the former Rift Valley province dominated by four ethnic groups the Pokot, Tugen, Ichamus (Njemps) and Endorois. It also plays host to many communities that have migrated into the area from other counties including but not limited Luos, Turkana, Kikuyus, Nubians and Kisiis. The county demonstrates cultural practices and still holds onto some traditional beliefs. A study by Mary Karigu on Effects of Cultural Practices and Perspectives on Sustainable Community Based Ecosystem Management in Lake Baringo reveals that 67% of the respondents indicated that they engaged in initiation rites- FGM.
Vincent believes that men can play a key role in the fight against the cut. Men are the sons, brothers, fathers and husbands, they are the community leaders and hence agenda setters in their communities. Most religious leadership is dominated by men therefore the possibility that their influence against the cut is higher and can play central role in the fight.
Many people who practice FGM including that of the Vincent’s region, will tell you that one of the reasons why FGM is glorified and why it’s far from fading is that it contributes to good marriage because they believe that those women who have undergone the cut are not promiscuous. Perceptions form a chain of what is understood along social obligations, religion and that of education of any given community. These perceptions are what new measures need to address and look for alternative ways to kill the rat.
Nevertheless, in agenda 2030 for sustainable development, the UN stresses full human rights for women and girls. Violation of a single right should be treated as a crime and rule of law should be deployed. It beats odds when nothing is done to those practicing or no action taken against the parents of the children who ran away from their homes because of the planned cut like that of Tangulbei Rescue Center in Baringo where 35 girls aged 7 to 13 years escaped FGM.
“As time changes, those dear to the culture ought to revisit and inevitably incorporate the changes. Human rights have stipulated clearly that the act is a violation and we have indeed witnessed what doctors have ruled to be harmful to women’s health later in life,” stressed Vincent.
Hope is what keeps Vincent going and holding closely to his believe that it is wrong to deprive the girl child her right. He is involved in community mobilization, empowerment and civic education programs aimed at enlightening his community members. He is urging other men to join him and crusade for help to curb the menace.