MARSABIT COUNTY CELEBRATES GRADUATION OF 179 GIRLS FROM ANTI-FGM PROGRAMME
BY GOVERNOR PRESS TEAM
The fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Marsabit County took a significant stride forward as 179 girls aged between 12 and 15 years graduated from the Gaddis Gamme programme, an initiative of Marsabit County First Lady H. E Alamitu Guyo Jattani aimed at eradicating FGM and GBV in the community.
The programme, which began on August 22, selected girls from 10 different locations within the Sololo sub-county. Over the course of their training, the girls were taught life skills, educated about the harmful effects of FGM, and made aware of other forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevalent within their community. In her address during the graduation ceremony, the first lady pointed out the difficulty of discussing such sensitive issues in a society where such discourse is often avoided.
She highlighted the global and local implications of these societal problems, pointing out that girls and women in Marsabit County are part of the alarming statistics concerning FGM, early marriages, and gender-based violence.
The First Lady stressed that practices such as FGM, child marriage, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence constitute serious violations of the human rights of women and girls. She lauded the Kenyan Government's efforts when it passed the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2011, criminalizing all forms of FGM. Mama Guyo urged men to join the fight against gender-based violence, FGM, and early marriages, emphasizing that the prevention of such practices should not be the fight of women alone.
She noted the significant step taken two years ago when the Borana Gada outlawed FGM, effectively removing it from Borana culture. She also emphasized the need for the support of men, political and religious leaders, and community elders in empowering the girl child and eliminating discriminatory norms and attitudes. She called upon all sensible and caring men to stand up for women and girls, join the campaign, and help break the cycles of violence against young girls and women. In her address, Alamitu also outlined the positive impacts of the Gaddis Gamme programme, which is premised on the understanding that empowering girls and recognizing their rights can lead to societal change.
County Secretary Hussein Tari warned that those practicing FGM should cease or face the full force of the law, as the government has outlawed the practice. He urged the community to empower girls for a brighter future and encouraged Mama Guyo to continue with the initiative until FGM is eradicated in their region. He suggested that such programs should be conducted during every school holiday, to reach as many girls as possible.
Community Elder Galm Dabaso reiterated that the Boran assembly, Gummi Gayo, had banned FGM and early marriage back in 2020. He encouraged the community to continue the fight against FGM, to enroll more girls into schools, and emphasized that empowering the girl child equates to empowering the community. Dabaso expressed his support for the Gaddis Gamme initiative, highlighting that the message against FGM is spreading beyond Marsabit County to other areas where the practice is rampant.
Fatuma Wario from Sololo praised the efforts of the Mama Guyo Foundation in fighting FGM across Kenya. She emphasized the harmful effects of FGM and appreciated that the efforts of the foundation, particularly the Gaddis Gamme initiative, are being recognized across the nation. She reminded the community that FGM is a harmful cultural practice that has been outlawed by the Kenyan government, and urged the elders, who are often the perpetrators, to stop it.
She further called for more partnerships to empower the boy child, who are increasingly falling victim to drug and substance abuse. Mama Bokayo Budha from Turbi echoed these sentiments, urging the community to take the fight against FGM seriously. She revealed that FGM is still being practiced secretly in society and emphasized the need for unity in eradicating this harmful practice.
The graduation marks a significant milestone in the fight against FGM in Marsabit County, demonstrating the power of community-based initiatives in tackling deeply rooted societal issues. The success of the Gaddis Gamme programme offers hope for the eradication of FGM and other forms of GBV in the region.