Members of Parliament on the committee on gender, labour and social development have demanded for a regional legal framework to curb female genital mutilation.

The MPs say that although Uganda on December 10th 2009 passed a law banning the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), some tribes are still carrying the tradition.

Komuhangi right with Kizza the leader of opposition in parliament.

The chairperson of the committee who is also the Woman MP for Nakasongola district, Margret Komuhangi, while speaking during a meeting with a delegation of visiting Zimbabwean female MPs on Tuesday.

She said that countries like Uganda which have laws against FGM cannot implement it fully since the girls are forced to cross the boarders.

“We need a legal cross boarder frame work that will ensure that all countries that have sign against FGM ensure that girls are protected from this harmful practice since some parents escape with the girls to other countries where they hide to mutilated them,” Komuhangi said.

She however, said that since the law on FGM came into force there has been a reduction in FGM and girl child stay in school.

Komuhangi also revealed that the gender committee is determined to push for the passing of the pending controversial marriage and divorce bill.

She said that women are also focused to cause a constitutional amendment in the 10th parliament to enshrine 50% gender parity moving from a 3rd.

Chairperson of the Zimbabwean Women Parliamentary caucus senator, Monica Matsvangwa.

The Chairperson of the Zimbabwean Women Parliamentary caucus senator, Monica Matsvangwa, together with other MPs on her delegation shared with Ugandan members of parliament the problems they face in their country which they said include among them early girl child marriages and agreed to handle this matter as defilement cases against men.