Some 100 girls in Kemera ward, Nyamira County who were at risk of being subjected to FGM have instead undergone an alternative rite of passage training and graduated.
The training was facilitated by International Solidarity Foundation based in Finland and implemented by Manga heart organization in Nyamira.
Nyamira County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for health, Dr. Timothy Bosire who presided over the graduation ceremony, pointed out that Gusii region is ranked third among the areas in Kenya still practicing the retrogressive FGM culture.
Dr. Bosire regretted that FGM had numerous negative consequences on the girls necessitating combined efforts between the health department and other stakeholders to sensitize the Gusii community why they should abandon the illegal practice forthwith.
“Any medical staff will be arrested and his /her license of practice confiscated and further be deregistered from practice if they are bribed to secretly conduct medicalized FGM either in our medical facilities or at people’s homes,” the health CECM warned.
He appealed to parents to jealously protect their children from any form of SGBV which he lamented had become ‘a county disaster and a serious threat to our future generation, which we are investing in and struggling to nurture.’
Kemera division Assistant County Commissioner (ACC), Gladys Kilei who was also present said the government was on high alert to ensure they deal with anyone reported to have allowed their girls to undergo FGM, which she reiterated was a serious violation of vulnerable innocent girls’ rights.
“While our children are at home this long festive holiday, they need to be taken care of, well protected, counseled on proper accepted cultural norms and their other needs provided for as well,” advised the ACC.
Manga heart project coordinator, Grace Murungi said that the alternative rite of passage is one way of empowering girls on detrimental life threatening health effects of FGM, when done on young innocent girls including the lasting psychological trauma.
“Our organization has been conducting empowerment and sensitization programmes to girls, boys, parents and administrators so that they understand how this type of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is criminal and the high penalties it can cost when one is found practicing or abetting this FGM crime,” Murungi said.
Manga Heart director, Benard Oseko on his part said the graduated 100 girls were drawn from Kemera Central, Bigogo, Entanda, and Irianyi primary schools adding they were also training them on the importance of maintaining their bodies intact and where to seek help.
“We appreciate the support we have been getting from these children’s parents and the fact that they allowed them to participate in this alternative rite of passage training to the extent of accompanying them for graduation. This indicates they want to totally shun SGBV and any other forms of abuse within the family setting and ensure that their children and all other family members live in a safe, secure, nurturing and loving home,” the director commented.
By Deborah Bochere
