For decades now
some of us have been disgusted by the cruel tradition of chopping off private
parts of young girls, technically known as female genital mutilation (FGM). In
mid 1980s when well known names began raising their voices against FGM, African
American writer, Alice Walker, stood out. The award winning Ms Walker eventually
published “Possessing the Secret Joy” a novel (below) describing “a fictional African
nation where female genital mutilation is practised.”
These protests however,
have no effect without government and law enforcing institutions.
Known as
“ukeketaji” in Tanzania, the illegal practise has been condemned by high
authorities since the times of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and his widow, Mama Maria
Nyerere.
