{{The Government of Tanzania has admitted that its powerless in stopping the practice of female circumcision in the country.}}
In December 2012, about 5,000 girls aged between 10 and 16 were rounded up for circumcision in Tanzania’s Mara region alone from mid-last month.
However, a campaign started by the government failed to net the culprits.
Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation,is a crime in Tanzania.
Ummy Mwalimu, the deputy minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, says government’s efforts did not bear fruit because of the complex nature of the rite, which is deeply rooted in culture and traditional beliefs.
Cracking down on the perpetrators was made even more difficult by a conspiracy between heads of clans and village leaders, who are paid for looking the other way as the traditionalists round up girls for the cut.
Mwalimu said, “We cannot end this problem only by the force of the law. Our greatest hope is to create awareness. We have been trying to engage traditional leaders who are said to encourage the practice.”
Tarime Special Police Zone Commander Justus Kamugisha said a couple of people were arrested during police operations but a protracted operation was not possible because circumcision ceremonies are carried out secretly under cover of darkness.
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