By Aggrey Baba
The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) has taken a bold step in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by granting permission to two lawmakers to introduce a Bill seeking to eliminate the harmful practice across the region.
The Bill, titled The East African Community Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2025, was presented on Wednesday, during a special virtual sitting of the Assembly.
It was jointly moved by Hon. Jacqueline Amongin from Uganda and Hon. Falhada Dekow Iman from Somalia, receiving strong support from other members, including Hon. Fatuma Ndangiza and Hon. David Ole Sankok.
Uganda’s Amongin emphasized that FGM remains a serious violation of women’s rights, including the right to health, life, and protection from cruel or inhuman treatment.
While most East African countries already have laws banning the practice, the lawmakers noted that emerging trends such as cross-border FGM and medicalization are undermining these efforts.
According to statistics shared in the Assembly, Kenya has a 15% prevalence rate among women aged 15-49, while Somalia remains highest at 98%. Uganda’s rate is much lower at 0.2%, but border communities are showing increasing activity.
The lawmakers called for a united regional response to address these challenges and support victims.
The proposed regional law aims to complement existing national efforts, tighten enforcement across borders, address medical involvement in FGM, and ensure Partner States provide support services like health care and legal aid to victims.
In a related development, the Assembly postponed the debate on the EAC budgets for the Financial Years 2024/2025 and 2025/2026. This follows a motion by Amongin, urging the EAC Council of Ministers to release funds for delayed programs before any new budget is approved.
The East African Community continues to face pressure to meet global targets under the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5.3 which aims to eliminate FGM by 2030. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
