FGM and EFM are illegal practices that continue to obstruct the human rights of pastoralist girls. A rescue center, community education, formal and vocational education will provide safety and choice. A rescue center has been built and now a school is in the planning stages.
Lack of awareness of child rights and the law have left many pastoral people in Kenya ignorant of the fact that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Early Forced Marriage (EFM) are illegal and harmful practices for girls. These practices have denied girls access to school, choice, health and future goals. There are five pastoral tribes in Isiolo district. Large distances, language barriers, and lack of knowledge create tension between Kenya law, child rights advocates and traditional practices.
Expanding Opportunities built a rescue center in Ariemet, Kenya, sponsors girls for education in Kipong, Kenya and is developing an alternative school for education, vocational skills, appreciation of creation, culture and conservation
Community education results in a more knowledgeable community and therefore less harmful practices, a community that maintains law and order; a more developed and self-reliant community; a community favorable to girl child education and prosperity.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
