Photos: Tackling female genital mutilation in rural Uganda | Hindustan Times
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Photos: Tackling female genital mutilation in rural Uganda

Updated On Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

The UN Population Fund estimates that 95 percent of Pokot tribal women and girls in Uganda have suffered female genital mutilation. Fighting tradition with tradition, Pokot spiritual healers and elders have now been enlisted to wipe out the practice.

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A former female genital mutilation (FGM) cutter of the ethnic Pokot tribe, Chepchai Limaa poses in the abandoned cave where girls rested to heal after their circumcisions -- until FGM was banned in 2010 -- near Katabok village, Uganda. According to UNFPA, FGM is performed on as many as 95% of girls in this tribe. The life-threatening procedure involves partial or total removal of a woman’s external genitalia. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

A former female genital mutilation (FGM) cutter of the ethnic Pokot tribe, Chepchai Limaa poses in the abandoned cave where girls rested to heal after their circumcisions -- until FGM was banned in 2010 -- near Katabok village, Uganda. According to UNFPA, FGM is performed on as many as 95% of girls in this tribe. The life-threatening procedure involves partial or total removal of a woman’s external genitalia. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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Monica Cheptilak, a 70-year-old who performed FGM for half a century, shows a home-made tool from a nail used for FGM, during an anti-FGM women’s group meet in Alakas village. Despite Uganda’s ban, the practice continues in some rural communities near the porous border with Kenya, where it is a tradition with deep roots and signals a girl’s readiness for marriage. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

Monica Cheptilak, a 70-year-old who performed FGM for half a century, shows a home-made tool from a nail used for FGM, during an anti-FGM women’s group meet in Alakas village. Despite Uganda’s ban, the practice continues in some rural communities near the porous border with Kenya, where it is a tradition with deep roots and signals a girl’s readiness for marriage. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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An 11-year-old Pokot girl comes out from an abandoned cave. Cheptilak, recalled how young girls would sometimes die from disease or bleeding after the ceremony. On one occasion, she said, six girls contracted HIV from a dirty blade. “When I recall how the six girls died and the pain these young girls go though, I feel hurt and sorry for them.” (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

An 11-year-old Pokot girl comes out from an abandoned cave. Cheptilak, recalled how young girls would sometimes die from disease or bleeding after the ceremony. On one occasion, she said, six girls contracted HIV from a dirty blade. “When I recall how the six girls died and the pain these young girls go though, I feel hurt and sorry for them.” (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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Paulina Isura Chepar, a local government official suffered FGM when she was a girl, and watched as her sister died as a result of the procedure. Now, she is fighting to end it. “I saw my sister die at the hands of a cutter. I don’t want my children to go through the same,” she said, holding back tears. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

Paulina Isura Chepar, a local government official suffered FGM when she was a girl, and watched as her sister died as a result of the procedure. Now, she is fighting to end it. “I saw my sister die at the hands of a cutter. I don’t want my children to go through the same,” she said, holding back tears. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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A warning sign against FGM in Katabok village. For the Pokot, FGM is intended “to make women clean and as a way of killing the sexual appetite,” says James Apollo Bakan, of the local Vision Care Foundation charity, which works to stop the practice. Men use it to keep their women faithful while they are away herding cattle because it makes sex painful. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

A warning sign against FGM in Katabok village. For the Pokot, FGM is intended “to make women clean and as a way of killing the sexual appetite,” says James Apollo Bakan, of the local Vision Care Foundation charity, which works to stop the practice. Men use it to keep their women faithful while they are away herding cattle because it makes sex painful. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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Magdalene Nantongo (C), head teacher at the government-sponsored Kalas Primary School, poses with students in Amudat town. Kalas is one of three schools in Karamoja designated a haven for girls fleeing child marriage and genital mutilation. She works with the police to ensure girls who come to her are protected. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

Magdalene Nantongo (C), head teacher at the government-sponsored Kalas Primary School, poses with students in Amudat town. Kalas is one of three schools in Karamoja designated a haven for girls fleeing child marriage and genital mutilation. She works with the police to ensure girls who come to her are protected. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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Chepureto Lobul (2R), a former cutter in the Pokot tribe performs before a meeting with journalists in Katabok village. According to UNFPA, the prevalence of FGM among Pokot women in Amudat is particularly high, compared with around half of girls and women in the Sabiny, Kadam and Tepeth communities. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

Chepureto Lobul (2R), a former cutter in the Pokot tribe performs before a meeting with journalists in Katabok village. According to UNFPA, the prevalence of FGM among Pokot women in Amudat is particularly high, compared with around half of girls and women in the Sabiny, Kadam and Tepeth communities. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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Mary Kiza, an activist against FGM, poses next to an anthill after a meeting of anti-FGM group PERUR in Alakas village. In neighbouring Kenya, around a fifth of women aged 15 to 49 have been cut, down from 38% in 1998, according to national data. Education was key to debunking myths which shore up the practice -- uncut women are forbidden from picking vegetables or collecting water for fear they will kill crops or dry up rivers. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

Mary Kiza, an activist against FGM, poses next to an anthill after a meeting of anti-FGM group PERUR in Alakas village. In neighbouring Kenya, around a fifth of women aged 15 to 49 have been cut, down from 38% in 1998, according to national data. Education was key to debunking myths which shore up the practice -- uncut women are forbidden from picking vegetables or collecting water for fear they will kill crops or dry up rivers. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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Teko Samuel (R) poses with his wife Chepchumba Damaris, who was not circumcised, during a PERUR meeting. More than 200 million girls and women are estimated to have undergone FGM worldwide and 3 million are at risk each year. February 6, 2018, marked the 6th International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

Teko Samuel (R) poses with his wife Chepchumba Damaris, who was not circumcised, during a PERUR meeting. More than 200 million girls and women are estimated to have undergone FGM worldwide and 3 million are at risk each year. February 6, 2018, marked the 6th International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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16-year-old Chematu Cheraiman, who has not undergone FGM, holds her one and half year old son in Katabok village. The main challenges in implementing the ban in these areas of Uganda and Kenya include the low capacity of law enforcement officers, harsh terrain that makes patrolling difficult and limited resources. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

16-year-old Chematu Cheraiman, who has not undergone FGM, holds her one and half year old son in Katabok village. The main challenges in implementing the ban in these areas of Uganda and Kenya include the low capacity of law enforcement officers, harsh terrain that makes patrolling difficult and limited resources. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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People from the Pokot tribe recreate a circumcision ceremony at their initiation site in Chelel village. 78-year-old healer Jeremia Labur participated in the ceremony seeking forgiveness for performing FGM and child marriage. Fighting tradition with tradition, Pokot spiritual healers and elders have been enlisted to wipe out the practice. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Updated on Feb 08, 2018 01:32 PM IST

People from the Pokot tribe recreate a circumcision ceremony at their initiation site in Chelel village. 78-year-old healer Jeremia Labur participated in the ceremony seeking forgiveness for performing FGM and child marriage. Fighting tradition with tradition, Pokot spiritual healers and elders have been enlisted to wipe out the practice. (Yasuyoshi Chiba / AFP)

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