Anti-FGM campaigners in Garissa raise awareness to protect girls during December holiday
By Issa Hussein |
Through collaboration with community members, actionable steps are being developed to shield girls from FGM.
Anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) campaigners in Garissa County have launched a community awareness initiative to address the increased risk of FGM practices during the long December school holiday.
Fatuma Hakar, CEO and founder of Girlkind Kenya, who is leading the effort, highlighted that this period poses a heightened danger to young girls.
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"We have partnered with chiefs, community leaders, and religious figures to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our girls through a community outreach programme," she said.
Fatuma emphasised the prevalence of the deeply rooted and retrogressive practice, which she noted is practiced by 98 per cent of the Somali community and continues to endanger many girls.
Through collaboration with community members, actionable steps are being developed to shield girls from FGM.
"Through open discussions and engagement, we are raising awareness among girls and mothers about the health risks associated with FGM and recognising it as both a form of violence against women and a violation of human rights in Kenya," she explained.
Fatuma also pointed out that parents often exploit the long holiday, believing it provides sufficient time for girls to recover from the procedure without arousing suspicion.
Abubakar Ibrahim, an assistant chief in Abaqdera Location, Bura East Sub-County, who took part in the community engagement, issued a stern warning to mothers against perpetuating the practice.
"The government is deeply concerned about how widespread FGM becomes during the December holiday," he said, urging parents to protect their daughters from the harmful tradition.
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