Train 120 Health & Human Rights promoters in Kenya

As Hope Foundation for African Women turned 5 years on 19^th December 2018, it was a milestone celebration for the Community Health and Human Rights Promoters (CHHRP). Sharing their five-years-journey’s achievements and challenges of their gender advocacy work to change attitudes, practises and behaviours towards ending Female genital mutilation and gender based violence.

Gladys Nyasuguta, one of the CHHRP’s and a survivor of FGM practise, besides gaining the boldness to share her story, conduct community outreaches, she has also gained the skills to facilitator the trainings. She is able to stand today as a co-facilitator to train men and women on anti-FGM/GBV, “Am so happy today that am standing before you, the esteemed men of our community, among you, my husband being present, for us to talk and discuss about FGM and GBV. I thank all of you for hearing and accepting our call. We thank you for the support you have shown us even though from a distance. But today, you presences here is a confirmation that we are ready to walk together to the path of ending FGM….”

Lydia Moranga “…When we talk of change in behaviour, attitude and practises, it begins with me and you. Myself, I was a cutter, before HFAW reached out to me. Cutting because I need to earn a living and support my family. But since I got trained and become part of CHHRP, I stopped cutting. I realised the effects of my action. And I discovered that I am much better now, through the economic empowerment project of HFAW. I DISCOVERED INNER PEACE KNOWING THAT AM NOT HURTING ANY SINGLE GIRL ANY MORE, INSTEAD, AM PROTECTING THEM FROM THE HURT. Am so happy to see all of you hear (referring to the 25 men being trained), my heart is strengthen. Who said that we will be able to meet all our needs by waiting to cut a little girl’s piece of body? There is nothing of economic gain that we get from cutting our daughters. To our husbands, hear me out!  It is total hurt. Let us stop, and stop it!”

Martha Mariaka “Since I was a young lady, I was very shy to stand before my mates and talk. I got married, had my children but still couldn’t even sit down to talk with them. Imagine, how could it be possible to stand before fellow women, men, young people and children to talk about anti-FGM/GBV, sexual reproductive health, human rights and economic empowerment? How? This questioning was overcame by HFAW 5 years ago when I was trained as one of CHHRP.  And today, we count at least 20 schools, 15000 students, 4000parents and 250 teachers that we have reached out with ant—FGM/GBV and number of girls that we have directly saved from planned FGM practise against them. Only 3 out of 7 men that were trained accompany us. Today am happy to know that 25 more men will be joining us in this journey…”

Your support dear friends, donors and partners, has made this possible. Has equipped the CHHRP with the knowledge and power they need to continue carrying on this work. With a total of 52 trained and equipped community health and human rights promoters now, the journey still continues.

FGM Zero Tolerance day, February 6^th is coming. Join us as CHHRP take to the streets and all corners of the Kisii community to advocate for zero tolerance of FGM.

Thank you so much for you continued support. We continue to appeal for your advice, financial and technical support. Please continue sharing HFAW’s work with your friends and family.

Thank you again for what you have done to promote this cause.

Sincerely and with gratitude