Kenya: Video On Female Genital Mutilation to Be Launched

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Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)

April 13, 2004, Nairobi

A video advocating for an alternative to female genital mutilation (FGM), a rite common in some traditional communities in Kenya, will be launched on Friday, April 16, 2004 at the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi, from 2:00 pm.

The video entitled ‘As Beautiful as God Made Me – Say No to Female Circumcision’, was produced by Ukweli Video Productions, for Sister Ephigenia Gachiri of the Loreto Sisters (IBVM).

“Although the practice has been banned in Kenya, it has continued to harm many women on the secret as the papers testify,” said Sr Gachiri in a statement sent to CISA.

The launch, which will be presided over by Hon Lina Kilimo, the Minister of State in the Office of the Vice President, takes a three-part approach to FGM.

The first part will be the launching of a book that brings out the intellectual and professional view on Female Circumcision, by Sr Gachiri IBVM.

The second part will be a case study by Loreto Girls High School, Limuru, showing the pressure put on a girl by the cultural environment to undergo the rite.

The final part will bring out the Christian Alternative Rite of Passage being offered to girls and testimonies from a few women, on this outdated operation.

The video is available at Ukweli Video productions and Loreto Convent Msongari at KShs 600.

Contact: Sr Gachiri, Email: [email protected], Tel (254-) 020-4444777
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