Train 120 Health & Human Rights promoters in Kenya

Dear Esteemed Supporters and Cheerleaders,
We are thrilled to share with you the outcomes of the men's training held at Nyaronge in Nyamira County on the eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence (GBV) in October 2023. Your continued support has enabled us to extend our reach to address critical issues within hard-to-reach communities. Nyaronge was identified as an area where men were unknowingly contributing to high cases of GBV. FGM is also high in this area. In response, the HFAW team organized a training session for 25 men, including the area chief and community health volunteers.

During the session, participants actively engaged in discussions about GBV and FGM, their causes, effects on girls and women, impact on men, and the entire community, and what the community can do to end these practices. These men learnt for the first time that women take much longer to be sexually fulfilled than men. Men also began to see how FGM affects them and the entire community and how FGM contributes to high incidences of domestic violence.

Men began to raise essential questions. Alfred, not his real name, highlighted how cultural norms always restrict men from certain responsibilities traditionally deemed feminine, which contributes to marital conflicts.

Nyabuya, not his real name, expressed concerns regarding his wife’s resistance to his desire for sex. “She is always avoiding me during our intimate time.” He said. “But today, I have known where the problem is... I have to change the approach, as you have advised. This is such important training.”

Mongare, not his real name, said, "Thank you, our officers, for making me see the effects of FGM in our homes.”

Gisemba, not his real name, highlighted issues of difficulty during delivery. “After childbirth, my wife would go forever before allowing intimate relationships. She gets multiple tears and many stiches after every childbirth. Only today have I made sense of why this is so.Thank you all for this important training.”.

At the end of this training, there was consensus among men that FGM and GBV must stop in their community.

To everyone’s laughter, Mosigisi, not his real name, said, “I admit to my past mistakes and pledge to initiate dialogues with my wife, seek forgiveness and bring positive changes.” He continued “ I am one of those who if my wife says no to sex, I jump on her, satisfy myself and go to sleep.” Basically many men admitted to raping their wives over and over. 

So Mosigisi urged to all men who have been having a similar behavior, “let’s go and change, ask for forgiveness and have a change." He announced, “We can’t blame women, they are going through a cultural practice installed by our community.” He said.
At the end of the training, all participants unanimously agreed to advocate for change within their communities. They committed to fostering open communication, understanding, and shared responsibilities. The HFAW team recognized that FGM contributes significantly to GBV cases, often unintentionally, and expressed gratitude for the participant's commitment.

As valued supporters, we invite you to share our mission with your friends and networks and encourage them to contribute to our cause. Your continued support empowers us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of these women and men in communities.
Once again, thank you for being a vital part of our journey in creating positive change.
Sincerely, 
Doris kananu

Dear Esteemed Friends and Partners,

We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support in our mission to transform societies and combat harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Your contributions have made a significant impact on our work, and we are thrilled to share the outcomes of our recent male training session held in Mekenene, Nyamira County, on July 16th, 2023.

At HFAW, our primary goal is to drive societal change, and we recognize that men play a crucial role in this transformation, both as advocates for change and as individuals who may inadvertently contribute to harmful practices like FGM. To address these issues, we selected 25 men to undergo training and become ambassadors for the anti-FGM cause. Notably, we also included law enforcement officials in this training due to the intersection between gender-based violence (GBV) and FGM.

The agenda for the training was comprehensive, covering vital topics such as:

• Men's Involvement in Ending FGM.
• Living with Survivors of FGM: The Association of FGM with GBV.
• Utilizing SCC (Social Change Communication) Methodology.
• Creating and Implementing Action Plans.

During the training, participants were actively engaged in dialogues and asked insightful questions, reflecting their commitment to the cause. James aptly pointed out that FGM should be seen as a national disaster that many men are unaware of, a sentiment that resonated with the group. Shockingly, four out of five men admitted to unknowingly mistreating their wives, highlighting the need for education and awareness.

Osoro expressed his newfound passion for community issues and his determination to become an ambassador. He vowed to address the challenges faced by both families and communities, recognizing that ignorance often hinders the resolution of such issues.

Gwaro, on the other hand, acknowledged the unique aspect of the training where women fearlessly addressed a forum of men, openly discussing private matters. He expressed his regret regarding his wife's situation and called for similar training sessions targeting women.

HFAW Staff detailed answers to the questions. She explained that if  criteria is cut  it can't be replaced that is why everyone must resist the cut. She also encouraged the girls to seek health care if they have a keloid or any other health issue in their private parts. The cultural roots of FGM were discussed including the patriarchal institution which strives to control women. By the end of the day everyone  rose  against the FGM practice and promised to educate the community.

The men who participated in this transformative training expressed profound gratitude for the knowledge they gained and expressed a strong desire for additional training sessions, inclusive of both women and men.

With heartfelt gratitude, we seek your continued support in our efforts to reach even more individuals on the ground. Together, we can create lasting change and eradicate harmful practices while promoting gender equality and community well-being.

Please share this information with your friends and family as to why FGM must stop and encourage them to make a contribution.Again thank you for your donation.

Warm regards,

Doris Kananu