Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) now a course in Tanzania Universities

                                                                   (C)Siegfried Modola/REUTERS

Three Tanzanian universities have introduced a new course on female genital mutilation (FGM) to train health care professionals how to deal with victims of the harmful practice that is still widespread although illegal, TVC NEWS has learnt. According to sources, the course are to be taught at the University of Dodoma, Muhimbili University of Heath and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) and the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).
FGM, which involves total or partial removal of the external female genitalia, has been illegal in the east African nation since 1998 but the law is poorly enforced and thousands of girls are affected every year. Available data shows that more than 7.9 million girls and women in Tanzania are believed to have undergone FGM which causes numerous health problems. Some girls bleed to death or die from infections, while others die later in life from childbirth complications.
According to Idris Kikula, Vice chancellor of the University of Dodoma in central Tanzania, the course is designed to equip students pursuing medicine and social sciences with skills and knowledge to take an active role in eliminating the practice.
"FGM has for years been affecting women and young girls. Much has been done to overcome the problem, albeit with poor results as there were no professionals to deal with the matter," Kikula said. "I believe this initiative will ultimately lead to sound results."
Kikula said the physical and psychological suffering faced by most FGM victims does not always get the attention of trained health care specialists due to a lack of expertise. The courses contains topics such as the origin of FGM and its health complications and how to manage and counsel girls and women with physical, psychological and sexual complications.
FGM affects an estimated 140 million girls and women across a swathe of Africa and parts of the Middle East and Asia, seen by many families as a gateway to marriage and way to preserve a girl's virginity. Uncut girls are often ostracised.
Nigeria outlawed FGM earlier this year, and the practice survives in only a few countries in the region, including Sierra Leone, Liberia and Mali.

Source: TVC News