Health

‘Engaging in female circumcision will earn you 4-year jail term’— NAPTIP

Tot ADP 'Female Circumciser Lays Down Her Tools' Before downing her tools, this circumciser, Divinah Murkomen, aged 50 circumcised 500 of the 800 girls circumcised in Marakwet District in December 1999. She put down her tools - a knife and a razor blade -- at the encouragement of NGOs like World Vision, who enlightened her on the myriad hazards associated with FGM. Female circumcision is a deeply rooted cultural practice in Kenya. World Vision Kenya has developed an alternative initiation ceremony that maintains the important period of older women sharing their knowledge and advice with the young girl, without genital mutilation taking place. For twenty years, the women of the Tot region in Kenya have called on Divinah Murkomen to circumcise their daughters. Now Divinah has renounced her trade and insists her two younger daughters will not be circumcised. Africa color horizontal

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned that female circumcision was a crime, which attracted a four-year jail term under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) 2015 and various states’ VAPP Laws.

The agency made this while responding to inquiries by some members of the public on its official X handle (Formerly Twitter) @naptipnigeria on Sunday.

A member of the public on his X handle @realmuhammadd, asked if a newly born baby girl needed to be circumcised.

Another X user with the handle @AAAlhlaji21, responded by saying, that was important to perform circumcision on baby girl, to prevent them from being promiscuous when they grow up.

NAPTIP, however, debunked the myth in its reaction to the posts, warning against the practice.

“Dear Muhammad- Just so you know Female Circumcision (FC) is a crime under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act, (VAPP) 2015 and under various states’ VAPP Laws.

“Anyone who performs FC is liable to up to four years imprisonment, an attempt attracts two years imprisonment,” it stated.

According to the agency, anyone who incites, aids, or counsels another person to commit the offence of FC, is liable to up to two years imprisonment.

“We urge you to use this as a teaching moment to also educate others.

“Remember “Female Circumcision, Genital Mutilation” IS A CRIME, ” It stated.

Akanji Philip

Akanji Philip has been working as a reporter with VOICE AIR MEDIA, both onsite at the head office in Odi-Olowo, Osogbo, and remotely since 2021. He has covered events at notable political venues, involving prominent figures such as former Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, current Osun State Governor Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, former Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the late Ondo Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and various other representatives and lawmakers. In addition, he has represented the company at various press conferences at police stations and has reported on occasions featuring entertainers and actors, such as Kola Oyewo during Oba-Ile Day in Osun State, among others. 📞 +2349058501092, +2348137827714 ✉️ akanjiphilips100@gmail.com