FGM continues in Kenya despite being outlawed

The leader of a women's rights group has spoken out against the continued practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kenya.

Executive Director of the Setat Women Group Lilian Plapan was launching a new year-long campaign against FGM and stated that despite the practice being outlawed last year, it still continues unabated in many northern regions of the country.

In 2011, parliament made the procedure punishable by up to seven years in prison, but Ms Plapan believes only a concerted effort from concerned parties will completely eradicate the practice.

"We continue to live with the threat or consequences of harmful traditional practices that violate our fundamental rights to physical integrity," she commented.

Ms Plapan explained that in the Pokot region of Kenya, many communities still carry out a form of FGM which the World Health Organization classifies as the most severe - the removal of the clitoris and narrowing of the vaginal opening.