By Robert Kibet
On a day resonating with the global call for human rights, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) announced a transformative initiative aimed at accelerating the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. The €4 million Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM SASA! program, a collaborative three-year project, signals renewed efforts to end a practice deeply entrenched in cultural and societal traditions.
Launched during the observance of the International Day of Human Rights and the culmination of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the programme embodies a united front against one of the most severe forms of gender-based violence. FGM not only violates the fundamental rights of women and girls but also inflicts lifelong physical and psychological harm.
Persistent Challenges Amid Progress
Kenya’s fight against FGM has seen significant strides. National prevalence among women aged 15-49 declined from 32 percent in 2003 to 15 percent in 2022, thanks to concerted advocacy, legislative measures, and community engagement. Yet, this progress masks the grim reality in hotspot regions where rates exceed 70 percent. Counties like Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Tharaka Nithi remain bastions of the practice, perpetuated by deep-seated cultural beliefs, economic incentives, and evolving trends like medicalized FGM and cross-border practices.
These challenges underscore the complexity of eradicating FGM. The practice is often rooted in traditions that equate it with purity, marriageability, and social acceptance. Additionally, the medicalization of FGM — where health professionals perform the procedure — presents a deceptive guise of safety, complicating efforts to highlight its harm.
Mobilizing Resources for Change
The Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM SASA! programme seeks to tackle these entrenched challenges through a multi-faceted approach. By engaging frontline activists, civil society organizations, and local communities, the initiative aims to foster grassroots ownership of FGM eradication efforts. Simultaneously, it will strengthen collaboration with national and county institutions to ensure the sustainability of interventions.
European Union Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Henriette Geiger, emphasized the importance of community involvement: “By partnering with frontline activists in Kenya, communities will be actively engaged in delivering vital FGM prevention and response services. Survivors will play a meaningful and active role in shaping and contributing to all efforts to end FGM.”
Kenya’s existing legal framework provides a robust foundation for these efforts. The Prohibition of FGM Act (2011) criminalizes the practice, while additional laws address related offenses such as child marriage and sexual violence. However, gaps in enforcement, coupled with the clandestine nature of the practice, pose significant barriers.
Prioritizing Voices of Women and Girls
At the heart of the Stop FGM Now! initiative lies a commitment to centering the experiences and aspirations of women and girls. UNFPA Representative in Kenya, Anders Thomsen, reiterated this vision: “This programme will prioritize the voices of women and girls, fostering an environment where their rights and aspirations take precedence over harmful practices.”
By amplifying survivor voices and equipping them with platforms to lead advocacy efforts, the programme aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding FGM and galvanize broader societal support. Educational campaigns targeting men, boys, and community elders—often the gatekeepers of tradition—will also be integral to shifting societal attitudes.
A Global Context for Local Action
The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. In 2024 alone, an estimated 4.4 million girls worldwide were at risk of undergoing FGM, equating to more than 12,000 girls daily. While FGM is a global issue, its prevalence in Kenya’s hotspot counties highlights the need for localized solutions that address the unique cultural and economic dynamics sustaining the practice.
The Stop FGM Now! programme’s focus on hotspot counties recognizes this reality. By tailoring interventions to the specific needs of these regions, the initiative seeks to create ripple effects that will extend beyond Kenya’s borders. The inclusion of cross-border strategies to tackle transnational FGM practices further underscores its comprehensive approach.
The launch of Stop FGM Now! marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s journey toward eradicating FGM. However, the road ahead requires unwavering commitment from all stakeholders. Governments, civil society, religious and cultural leaders, and international partners must work in concert to challenge the socio-cultural norms perpetuating FGM.
The programme’s success will hinge on sustained funding, robust monitoring, and adaptive strategies that respond to emerging trends. Crucially, it will also depend on the courage and resilience of the women and girls at the forefront of this fight. Their stories of defiance and triumph over tradition are powerful reminders of what’s at stake: the right to live free from violence and oppression.
As the world watches Kenya’s renewed efforts, the Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM SASA! programme offers a blueprint for what is possible when international solidarity meets local action. It is a bold step toward ensuring that every girl and woman in Kenya can realize her full potential, unshackled by the weight of harmful practices.
