250 girls graduate with alternative rite of passage
From left: Plan International Tharaka coordinator Charles Muliu, Tharaka Nithi Gender Executive Sheila Kiganka and Gender Officer Mary Mugambi during a meeting on FGM in Chuka, on December December 11, 2020.
What you need to know:
- Tharaka Nithi County has embarked on an intensive alternative rite of passage programme that seeks to replace outdated cultural practice.
- At least 250 girls who rejected the ‘cut’ in Tharaka Constituency this festive season, are set to graduate after a week training on the alternative rite.
As part of efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2022 in line with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s target, Tharaka Nithi County has embarked on an intensive alternative rite of passage programme that seeks to replace outdated cultural practice.
The county is among the 22 FGM hot spots in the country.
At least 250 girls who rejected the ‘cut’ in Tharaka Constituency this festive season, are set to graduate after a week training on the alternative rite. The initiative was organised by Tharaka Women Welfare Program that has been fighting FGM in the region for years.
Surge in FGM
Speaking yesterday during an event held at Ngonya Primary School in Tharaka Constituency where 16 girls graduated, the program coordinator, Ms Aniceta Kiriga said cases of FGM had risen.
“We have witnessed a surge in FGM and other forms of gender-based violence in our region during Covid-19 pandemic period despite efforts by government and non-governmental organisations to curb it but we are not relenting,” said Ms Kiriga.
The county government in partnership with Plan International is also in the process of coming up with a policy that seeks to give the devolved government legal powers to battle the FGM.
Once the county assembly passes it and it becomes law, the devolved unit will have the liberty to finance programmes to fight the illegal cultural practice that is rampant in Igambang’ombe, Tharaka South and Tharaka North sub-counties.
Support FGM
Speaking in Chuka town during a county stakeholders meeting, County Gender Executive Ms Sheila Kiganka who is spearheading the exercise, said it’s saddening to note that at least 50 per cent of the women in the county support FGM.
She said without a law, it’s difficult for the devolved government to fight FGM because it lacks the legal framework and mandate.
Plan International Tharaka unit coordinator; Charles Muliu said the medicalization of the illegal cut has dealt a big blow to the fight. “We have financed this process because with the law, county government will have legal power, which helps much to end FGM,” said Mr Muliu. |
