In many cultures, female genital mutilation (FGM), is a valued traditional practice : removal of part or the whole of the external female genitalia. But it has devastating short-term and lifelong physical and psychological effects on girls. Around 200 million women and girls alive today are concerned . This harmful practice can hold dangerous implications for girls' marriage, health, education, furtur work. This project aims at expanding in West pokot region alternative options to protect girls.
In Kenya, FGM-which girls usually go through just before or after puberty-is a direct precursor to child marriage. Often, girls aren't considered eligible for marriage until they've been cut, and families see marriage as the only way for their girls to have a financially stable future. A dowry paid to parents by a girl's husband can mean a great deal to a family in extreme poverty. FGM and child marriage hold girls back from an education, prevents them from realizing their dreams and potential.
Through education, economic empowerement and child protection. By supporting education, enabling girls and boys to prepare their future. By creating Alternative Rite of Passage ceremonies for both girls and boys that replace FGM. By changing Boys perceptions of girls who have not undergone FGM. Through saving groups, families gain becoming less economically vulnerable- less likely to choose child marriage and FGM as a way out of poverty. Advocating, mobilizing Faith leaders, local elders...
After a first 10 years work in West Pokot, the project is expanding in Samburu region for 5 years to reduce FMG and child marriage. In 2021 : 495 children graduated from Alternative Rites of Passage ceremonies, Kenya Big Dream trained 500 participants in poultry farming as an alternative livelihood, helping families better meet their income needs, keep their children in school, and reduce the financial pressure that leads to violence against children.56 Savings for Transformation groups created.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
