By Dr. Grace B Mose | Dr. Grace B Mose
FGM Can End in One Generation: Youth insights in our work
‘I have learnt that I have role in protecting my sister against FGM’ said one youth leader during one of our school outreach feedback session.
According to Population and Housing Census 2009, over 70% in Nyamira County are Youth aged between 18 to 35. The prevalence rates of FGM in NyamiraCounty stubbornly stand at 84% with drastic impact on youth and children. The practice of FGM as a culture has for a long time been passed from one generation to the next as a social norm in the community.
‘I will tell my friends from other schools about that we have been taught to say no to FGM and they should also not allow to be cut’ said Sarah* a pupil from Getri Primary school
Male youth have realized that they are potential consumers of both immediate and long-term effects of FGM. “I have no problem marrying a girl who is not “circumcised” said Momanyi. “But we have to guard against stigmatizing girls who have already gone through the cut”, he continued noting that it is not their fault.‘My place is very rural and remote, I now already feel like an Anti-FGM ambassador, my community needs to be reached with this information’ said Ruth who is a youth among trainees in social change communication skills to end FGM.
From our experience mentoring youth, we have discovered that they grasp issues easily and accept change rapidly. This has opened a window of opportunity to end FGM among youth between 18-35. These youth are in schools, at home, in youth groups and churches.
HFAW is successfully using Popular Education and the positive social change communication to end FGM with a special focus among the youth. HFAW has been able to reach over 5000 pupils who are under 18 years in over 10 schools within Borabu sub county, Nyamira County. Dialogue with youth has brought new energy and motivation in ending FGM. The process has been unveiling truths about FGM which were traditionally shielded in secrecy. Youth and children now also know how to prevent the incidences by reporting to relevant authority in schools and at home.
To increase the momentum of ending FGM by engaging more youth we recently launched a call to action initiative to train 50 Anti-FGM ambassadors in the entire Nyamira County. These youth will take lead in sharing the Anti-FGM messaging across the county. Youth also have an advantage of rapid use of social media among themselves and beyond. Their motivation to make their community safe spaces free of FGM is unparalleled. We invite you to invest in our youth by making a donation that will allow us train them as Anti-FGM ambassadors.
Training youth ambassadors is only possible because of donations from our esteemed supporters. We believe that this initiative is a game changer in ending FGM in Nyamira and Kenya. You have helped us raise $850 dollars. Training one youth will require a minimum of $250 dollars and if we can reach $5000 dollars we will begin to train our first 20 youths. Your donation counts in ending FGM in one generation. Share this information and make a request to your family and friends.
We thank you for your believe in our cause and our commitment to end FGM in Nyamira and Kenya
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