End Female Genital Mutilation in 9 schools, Kenya

Dear friends and supporters,

We are pleased to share with you our work on ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) during December 2018. 

On 19^th to 20^th December, using Popular education Model, HFAW trained 25 men living with FGM survivors on understanding the sexual, health and other issues that come with surviving FGM practice and how to address them.

During the training, Haron, one of the participants said, “Watching this video showing how it is done, is the most disturbing thing I have seen in this year. We fathers we just say to our daughters, ‘Go, and be cut!’ or to our wives, ‘take them there!’  We have never seen how it is cut. This is real torture we are doing as Abagusii community. Some mothers do not even do it out of willingness, but do it because they want to please us men! This is not right at all. From today am not going to sit and watch my daughters and nieces and friends succumb to this torture. If we men roar, FGM will scatter! “

After the training, the participants had a chance to have Egesa radio recording on 30^th December, so as to reach out to the entire community and Nation through the local broadcasting.

We apologise the recording was done in Kisii language, so as to reach out to local community in a more understandable way

However, you can still follow and listen to this through https://youtu.be/v4ymCqpioqM. The beauty in the tone of their voices tell it all

In the audio, the first voice is Jackie Barongo, from Egesa Fm broadcaster,

2^nd is Thomas, a retired nurse and one of the participant saying,” I did not have knowledge about the dangers of FGM. But after the training and listening to the testimonials told by the community health promoters, I am, more than ready to join efforts in ending FGM. We have the power to end this.

Then Ariga, “Am so grateful for this training. Especially how it has been conducted.  I fully understand my role in ending FGM. And I call upon fellow men, that we reach out to those men who do not know yet, reinforce on the FGM policy we have learned about, so that those that are still practising FGM out of ignorance to stop.

Gladys Nyasuguta, FGM survivor and one of the HFAW community health promoters, sharing health complications she experienced trauma and major tears during delivery

And lastly, Joyce Amoyi, HFAW grassroots officer talking about the school, church, and communities outreaches that as a team with community health and human rights promoters carry out.

Dear partner , this training was possible through a grant from our International Methodist Women, Global Media Campaign to End FGM and some of your donations here at Global Giving. You, GMC and IMW have had direct impact on Men and Girls. We know that what we are doing now to bring Men too as advocators is uprooting FGM slowly but surely and as you can see we could not do without your support. We continue to appeal for your advice, financial and technical support. Please continue sharing HFAW’s work with your friends and family.

Thank you again for what you have done to promote this cause.

Sincerely and with gratitude

Leah Wandera