By Our Reporter
Time heals all wounds, they say. But for Idah Ssuuna Mubiru, who was a victim of female genital mutilation as a teenager, it may take more than this lifetime to heal.
Now turned an activist against the archaic practice to save young girls from going through the same, Idah says that she continues to struggle with esteem and psychological issues left behind by the experience, even as an adult.
“I was a teenager, had just turned 17, when my grandmother performed the partial genital mutilation ritual on me,” she told this website. ” But upto today, 21 years later, I still carry the mental and emotional wounds. I still get nightmares.”
Female genital mutilation is a procedure involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
“The practice cannot end soon because it’s our culture, and they love it.” She says.
The practice is a violation of the human rights of girls and women. Despite this, in some Ugandan communities, it is still considered a rite of passage to adulthood for young girls. Abstaining from the ritual may lead to social exclusion and ridicule for the girls and or their families.
“They are now targeting mature, married women who understand the culture of our community,” Idah Ssuuna Mubiru revealed. “We still live in fear for our lives. I call upon the perpetrators to stop the practice.”