International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A women's health and rights campaigner has told of her agony at suffering forced circumcision at the age of 14.

Speaking to Voa News, Agnes Pareyio – who helped establish the Kenyan movement to end female genital mutilation (FGM) - said she was labelled a coward for attempting to resist the practice.

As a member of the Maasai tribe, she explained how her community placed a lot of pressure on her to prove she was not afraid.

"But I hated it," Ms Pareyio added. "So, I grew up hating it and made sure that not my daughter, not anybody who can listen to me, will undergo FGM."

She told the news provider how she founded a safe house for girls who have run away to escape genital mutilation, and spends her time delivering talks on the practice and explaining the relevant law.

Ms Pareyio commented: "We tell [perpetrators], 'Are you aware that you are breaking the law, and can easily go to jail for that?'"

Earlier this month, Uganda's Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development announced that the country was set to outlaw FGM.

Posted by Paul Robertson