In a significant victory for women's rights and regional cooperation, the Council of Ministers of the East African Community (EAC) has agreed to support the proposed bill on elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the region.
This landmark decision was announced by Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs.
"I'm thrilled to share that the Council of Ministers has unanimously supported the Proposed Bill on Elimination of FGM, sponsored by Hon. Ndagiza, Hon. Ole Sankok, and Hon. Amongin, with the backing of EASSI," Kadaga exclaimed on her social media platform.
This proposed bill aims to harmonize laws, policies, and strategies across the EAC region to eradicate FGM, promoting cooperation in prosecuting perpetrators and raising awareness about its dangers.
The EAC Act seeks to share information, research, and data to combat this harmful practice.
This breakthrough is a testament to the power of regional cooperation and collective action. As Kadaga emphasized, "Together, we can create a safer, more equitable future for all women and girls in the EAC region."
With this proposed bill, the EAC takes a significant step towards protecting the rights and well-being of its citizens, and sets an example for other regions to follow.