As part of an effort to curb teenage pregnancy and female genital mutilation (FGM) rates, officials in Kenya are requiring girls to participate in involuntary testing at their local schools.
George Natembeya, the Narok County commissioner in Kenya, is leading the management of these investigations, per The Guardian. The health exams will be governed at local clinics. In addition to forcing any pregnant girls to disclose who inseminated them, they will also be obligated to file a police report if they are victims of FGM.
Upon determining if these young girls were in fact a casualty of FGM, Natembeya furthermore cautioned that parents of these adolescents will be detained and face swift consequences, All Africa reports.
"The girls found to have undergone the cut will be forced to record statements with police while those who will be found to be pregnant will reveal the identities of the men responsible," Natembeya warned.
While illegal in the East African nation, FGM is nonetheless a serious concern for lawmakers. The practice was officially outlawed in 2011, according to The Guardian. However, a study administered by 28 Too Many found that approximately 21 percent of Kenyan women between the ages of 15-49 have undergone FGM in their lifetime. The research also revealed that many of those cases were reported in Northeast Kenya, where FGM boasts the highest numbers.
The response to this probe has not been positive. Educators have rejected Natembeya's request, claiming that it encroaches on the privacy of these underage girls. However, Kenyan Digest writes that administrators are open to discussing the high rate of teenage pregnancies with lawmakers.
"Teenage pregnancies are a major problem in Narok but the approach should be consultative rather than a one-man directive," said Charles Ng'eno, the secretary-general of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet).
"Parents and stakeholders entirely agree that the issue of teenage pregnancies amongst school girls must be addressed but the approach by the county commissioner is totally wrong," he argued.
Blavitize your inbox! Join our daily newsletter for fresh stories and breaking news.
Now, check these out:
5 Things You Need To Know About Why People In Sudan Are Rising Up
How FOSTA-SESTA Legislation Is Wreaking Havoc On The Lives Of Sex Workers
