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Ex-cutters share their stories on FGM with Rural Communities, Garissa county, Kenya

By Fatuma Hakar,

Fatuma Hakar runs Girlkind Kenya, supporting girls in Kenya to help end FGM.


The Project:

We arranged a gathering with women from the rural areas in Garissa and ex-cutters to discuss harmful practices such as FGM, also we have done enrolment of livelihood skills to woo cutters for alternative livelihood.

Also, we have conducted a radio talk show to engage over 40,000 listeners.

Our success:

Both radio talk shows and public gatherings were successful, many people are now requesting we do this regularly as some suggest weekly or fortnightly.

Due to covid measures and restrictions, we had Small group gatherings and participants at the radio station, other than that there were no obstacles.

Strong messages:

“We had positive feedback and we had great exposure to locals who are now coming to our office enquiring more about the eradication of female genital mutilation.” Fatuma Hakar. Ex-cutters share their stories on FGM with Rural… Share on X

Unexpected wins:

To invite ex-cutters to the gathering was difficult but eventually, they agreed and participated in the gathering, also a radio talk show we had callers who changed their minds that before they were planning to cut their daughters but now they vow not to do it.

Next time:

I could suggest a talk and radio jingles that will run every morning.

Ruth Harley

Ruth Harley is working with GMC as a Website News Editor, compiling stories written by End FGM campaigners working with the Global Media Campaign to End FGM across Africa. Alongside this work, she is running The Women’s Vinyl Project which empowers women and girls through singing and music and is helping to end FGM.