Something important is happening in East Africa. Leaders from different countries are working on a law called the EAC FGM Bill 2025. It’s a regional law meant to help stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) a harmful practice that hurts many girls and young women across the region.
FGM is dangerous. It can cause a lot of pain, make girls drop out of school, lead to early marriage, and even cause death. While most countries in East Africa already have laws to stop it, people still find ways to do it especially by crossing borders where the laws are different.
That’s why this new bill is so important. It helps all the East African countries work together to:
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Ban FGM completely, including when done secretly or by medical workers.
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Catch and punish people who do FGM, even if they cross into another country.
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Protect girls and help those who have already gone through it.
In April 2025, the bill was re-tabled at the East African Legislative Assembly. That means leaders are discussing it again and working on the next steps to make it law. Groups like UNICEF, UNFPA, and Equality Now have been helping for years by speaking up, supporting survivors, and pushing for action.
In Kenya, for example, things are already improving. In 2014, about 21 out of every 100 women had gone through FGM. In 2022, that number dropped to 15 out of 100. That’s good news but there’s still more to do. (Source)
If this bill becomes law across the whole region, it could help thousands of girls stay safe, no matter where they live. But laws alone won’t fix everything we all have a part to play.
As young people, we can:
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Learn the facts
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Speak out against FGM
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Support our friends and classmates
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Join or start campaigns to raise awareness
The EAC FGM Bill 2025 is a big step but real change needs all of us. Let’s stand up for a future where all girls are safe, healthy, and free to live their dreams.