Those who are not aware of parliamentary procedure think that yesterday was the D-Day to repeal the Women’s (Amendment) Act 2015, which prohibits female circumcision. The procedure however is to discuss the principle of the Bill in the second reading before assigning the Assembly Business Committee to remit it to a committee or joint committee for investigation and recommendation on the content of the Bill for consideration by the Assembly at the consideration stage.
The principle that should have been discussed by the National Assembly members is whether female circumcision is harmful or not to the body of women. Unfortunately this was not the thrust of the debate at the National Assembly.
The Constitution and the laws of the country do acknowledge cultural practices that are not a threat to the life of the individual or national unity. Once the principle is not guided by knowledge of what is harmful or not to the human body, the essence of the debate is compromised.
