Minister wants babies inspected for FGM

Children march during the commemorations of African Child World Day in Arusha on Wednesday. Photo | Filbert Emmanuel

What you need to know:

The Deputy Minister revealed that Manyara region is leading with many FGM cases with 58percent, followed by Dodoma 47 percent, Arusha 41 percent, Mara 32 percent and Singida 31 percent.


Arusha. Deputy Minister for Health, Community Development, Elderly and Children Dr Faustine Ndugulile has directed health service providers to inspect all babies attending clinics, to identify victims of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

He issued the directives on Wednesday in Arusha during the commemorations of African Child World Day by saying that the government has been notified that there are several parents who practice FGM to their new baby girls soon after birth.

“Inspection should be conducted immediately from now and all perpetrators must face legal actions as their practices are seriously violating children rights, “ he emphasized.

The Deputy Minister revealed that Manyara region is leading with many FGM cases with 58percent, followed by Dodoma 47 percent, Arusha 41 percent, Mara 32 percent and Singida 31 percent.

Katavi region ranked number one in early marriages with 45 percent, followed Tabora 43 percent, Morogoro 38 percent, Mara 37 percent and Shinyanga 34 percent.

Dr Ndugulile urged the public to keep on posting gender based violence related photos of children to various media, to support the fight for children’ rights protection and their humanity.

He added that the Child Act of 2009, section 21 encourages rights of the children. Hence, all people must obey the law.

Representative of institutions dealing with children rights, Dr Yoshy Kasilima commented that the organizations’ mission was to make sure that no any child is left behind.

On early marriages angle, he said, Plan International Tanzania organization targeted reaching 28,755 female children, and d 120,000 male in Rukwa, Morogoro  Mara and Geita regions, by 2030.

President of Children Council of Tanzania, Joel Festo proposed for removal of street children, involvement of children in decision making on various issues concerning children matters, prioritization of children; cases in the courts among other issues.

African Child World Day commemoration takes place on June 16, every year but Tanzania commemorated yesterday after observing that the actual date (16th ) will be collided with other national activities.