Keep safe 2000 girls at risk of FGM in rural Kenya

GLOBAL GIVING REPORT

PROJECT: KEEP SAFE 2000 GIRLS AT RISK OF FGM IN RURAL KENYA

CODE: 44748

1. Project summary

In rural and cross border communities of Kuria, Kenya, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) along with child marriage and other forms of violence is a tradition that continues to threaten the lives of vulnerable girls. Through our project, “Keep safe 2000 Girls at Risk of FGM in Rural Kenya,” we are dedicated to breaking these cycles of violence against vulnerable girls of kuria. Through community-driven and girl-centered approaches, we have already provided immediate support and long-term empowerment to hundreds of girls. Our mission is to reach 2000 girls by 2027 with our life-changing programs, giving them the same care, support, and opportunities that have already helped the hundreds of girls.

2. Activities progress

Since our project’s inception,we have launched a range of impactful activities that provide immediate support and empower vulnerable girls in Kuria. This is the progress of our activities.

Direct support and response
Between 2020 and 2024, our team has reached 1000 vulnerable girls in Kuria, providing them with basic necessities such as food supplies, school supplies, and healthcare essentials. This has helped in reducing their immediate risk of FGM, child marriage, and sexual exploitation.

Empowerment and skills building
We have established safe spaces and conducted life skills and empowerment workshops designed specifically for girls impacted by FGM and child marriage. These sessions focus on building their self-esteem helping them reclaim their dignity, leadership, and resilience. The girls are also equipped with the knowledge to understand their rights and the tools to advocate for themselves.

Community engagement
Our outreach efforts have involved extensive community dialogues with parents, local leaders, religious leaders and teachers. These discussions aim to challenge the long-standing cultural norms and promote alternatives rites of passage to FGM and child marriage. Through these engagements, we have gradually shifted community perceptions, garnering local support for change.

Collaboration and partnerships
By working closely with local partners, schools, and healthcare providers, we have created a network of support that ensures a coordinated response to survivors of FGM and child marriage. This collaboration has been instrumental in both the prevention of these harmful practices and in the provision of care to those already affected and girls at risk.

3. Lessons Learnt and Challenges

Throughout our journey, we have learned invaluable lessons and faced challenges as well which continue to shape and strengthen our approach in our efforts to keeping safe 2000 girls at risk of FGM in Rural Kenya.

Lessons Learnt:

Girl-centered programming
By involving girls directly in the planning and implementation of our programs, it has proven to be transformative in our efforts. Their insights shape our interventions to be culturally sensitive and effective.

Importance of community dialogue
Engaging community stakeholders has been vital. Open discussions have led to increased awareness and gradual shifts in entrenched norms, proving that sustainable change is possible when the community is part of the solution.

Holistic support
By addressing not just the immediate needs but also long-term empowerment through education and life skills, it has proven to be crucial for the lasting impact of our project.

Challenges:

Cultural resistance
Some deep rooted traditions such as FGM and child marriage remains to be a significant barrier. Despite our efforts in ending them, some community members resist changes and persist to carry on with the longstanding practices.

Resource constraints
Securing consistent and long term funding for our programs continues to be challenging. The short funding cycles affects the scalability and sustainability of our programs.

Security risks
Our staff and beneficiaries sometimes face threats from community members who strongly uphold FGM stating it is their cultural practice. Ensuring measures for the safety of everyone involved, remains an ongoing priority.

4. Looking ahead

Looking forward, our plans are ambitious and focused on sustainability of our project’s impact.

Scaling up impact
With additional donor support, we plan to expand our services to reach a total of 2000 girls. This scale-up will involve extending our safe spaces, increasing the frequency and reach of empowerment workshops, and enhancing our community outreach programs.

Strengthening partnerships
We aim to deepen our collaboration with local organizations, healthcare providers, local leaders, religious leaders and educational institutions. These strong partnerships will ensure a coordinated, community-wide response that addresses both prevention of FGM and support of survivors and at risk girls.

Innovative programming
We are developing new modules for life skills and vocational training that will help girls build financial independence and resilience. By diversifying our programs, we hope to empower girls to break free from cycles of poverty which leads to FGM and child marriage keeping them safe from violence.

Sustainable funding
Our team is actively seeking long-term funding solutions to ensure that our interventions remain consistent and impactful over time.

5. Conclusion

Our “Keep safe 2000 Girls at Risk of FGM in Rural Kenya” project is more than a program, it is a movement to reclaim the future of girls in Kuria. Already, our support has transformed the lives of 1000 vulnerable girls, protecting them from the immediate dangers of FGM and its related harms. With your generous support, we can extend our reach to 2000 girls, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to education, overall wellbeing and become self-assured leaders.

Your donation will not just be a gift, it will be an investment in a future where every girl is free from violence and empowered to shape her destiny. Join us in our mission to break the cycle of harmful practices and build a safer, brighter future for all girls in rural Kenya.