BERNADETTE RESIAN LOLOJU; THE ANTI-FGM CRUSADER

 BERNADETTE RESIAN LOLOJU; THE ANTI-FGM CRUSADER

As we wind close to the end of this beautiful black history month, we cannot forget to celebrate Kenyans in the frontline, fighting for human rights and freedoms in all aspects of the society, and one such notable individual is an active social worker by the name of Bernadette Resian Loloju, who has for decades been championing the rights of the female child, through the anti-female genital mutilation campaign, which seeks to end female circumcision within the nation, and more so, the African continent as a whole. Ms. Bernadette carries this cause to heart, having won many battles to this effect, while striving to accomplish many more, in effect to eradicating this barbaric traditional practice.

No one would have served as a better Chief Executive Officer of the anti-FGM Board than one Ms. Bernadette Loloju. This is because she has been a victim of this cruel act of botchulising female private areas, for the sake of keeping up with ancient traditions. That is why she understands the pain, as well as the adverse effects of FGM in the life of a young innocent girl, whose only crime was to be born a female. As a result, Ms. Loloju has dedicated her life to confronting this evil that plagues the female child within the society, hence I would not trust another soul with this noble mission, other than Madam Bernadette Loloju.

For decades, Bernadette has made it her soul mission to traverse across the country and even beyond our boarders, in order to have critical conversations with regards to eradicating FGM in our society, with the various communities that still hold on to this heinous practice of FGM. Moreover, she targets local leaders, the elders, as well as all the stakeholders within all affected communities, for she knows just how important they are in, either making or breaking the malignant vice at play. Furthermore, Bernadette understands that the battle is at the grassroots, thus she has to adjust her perspective, so as to target this crucial level field, if she wants victory over this vicious epidemic.

The saddest part of this brutal practice of FGM is that the elderly women, who are also victims of this uncouth malpractice, serve as the gate-keepers of this sick tradition. I am of the notion that, should all women, mostly mothers, stand up against this cultural abuse, then the patriarchs will have no choice but to abandon this chauvinistic custom of mutilating girls. Ms. Bernadette equally understands this, and therefore makes it her business to have a solid discourse particularly with rural uneducated women, in order to influence their view on not allowing their girl-children to get circumcised.

But where does the Church stand as far as FGM is concerned? Should not their voice be louder than the government’s voice, as far as human rights are concerned? How is it that most of the congregants are circumcised right under the heavy influence of the Church, yet there is no uproar from them? All I ever witness from the Church is a deafening silence and a multitude of chirping crickets, when it comes to this troubling issue. Christianity is all about setting people free from the shackles of spiritual, physical, mental, and even slavery, however the Church is mum, while engaging in other activities.

Clearly, there is so much to be done, in order to achieve this goal of eradicating this archaic practice of FGM. We all need to chip in however we can, to ensure that no girls are mutilated before our eyes, as well as under our watch. Firstly, all parents with female children, should be at the forefront of this war, protecting their girls by not allowing such primitive traditions to ruin the lives of their children. Secondly, our government should enact tough laws that combats this traditional negligence, by placing a hefty penalties to any of its offender. This is a more powerful way of rendering FGM to be entirely obsolete. Last but not least, the Church should take charge of this negative tradition, through condemning FGM with the strongest of terms, by ex-communicating Church members who engage in such inhumane actions.

Ms. Bernadette Loloju is determined to take this FGM fight to all the local, national, and even international pivotal stakeholders, if only to save the young innocent girls from this criminal act of genital mutilation. Nevertheless, she cannot do it alone, and therefore needs you and I to lend helping hands, whether it be financial or spiritual help, any help will do, not only to combat this lingering problem but also put it to rest permanently, once and for all.

Here is to you Bernadette Resian Loloju; what you do for those underprivileged female folk is not only noble but benevolent, for it takes a woman of strength, courage and wisdom to be dedicated to upholding human rights. May the Good Lord bless the work of your hands.