Kenyans Called Upon To Help Fight FGM

ActionAid Kenya has launched a nationwide campaign in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and wants Kenyans to join in the fight.

The month-long campaign is aimed at creating more awareness against FGM and raising funds to build Safe Houses for rescued girls across the country. The new campaign comes as the long school holidays continue to pose a challenge to the fight against FGM in West Pokot and other areas where girls consider schools as safe havens.

Speaking during the launch event in Nairobi, ActionAid’s Head of Fundraising, Ms. Susan Otieno said that although awareness against the vices has increased in recent years, some communities are crafting new ways of ensuring their daughters are circumcised without the law catching up with them.

“We were very disturbed when we found out that in some counties like Taita Taveta, parents are subjecting their infant daughters to the brutal cut, as early as a day old. This is outrageous. When we sought to find out why they are doing this when the daughters are so young, we realized that this could be because it is easier to reduce public scrutiny and also because the children are unable to resist at that age,” said Ms. Otieno. “Areas like Taita Taveta where FGM is at 22%, parents are circumcising their girls when they are just days old.”

According to Susan, ActionAid now believes there is need for sustainable solutions to put to an end FGM.

“The solutions to ending this vice lie at the heart of empowered Women and Girls in the communities at risk, challenging cultural beliefs and helping each other to speak out,” said Ms. Otieno.

The launch event brought together media personalities, rescued girls, reformed cutters, parents and siblings whose clarion call was for all Kenyans to unite and be part of the new campaign.  Kenyans can support the initiative contribute towards the course through the M-PESA pay bill number 899610, Account Name: End FGM.

“Our target is to raise Sh14million which will go towards the construction of at least one additional rescue centre for the affected girls in the six counties,” said Ms. Otieno.