You are currently viewing Powerful Video helps to Stop FGM practise over the Easter break, in Kuria, Kajiado and Garissa, Kenya.

Powerful Video helps to Stop FGM practise over the Easter break, in Kuria, Kajiado and Garissa, Kenya.

This film was aired on prime-time TV news on Kenya’s K24 TV, reaching over 1.4 million viewers.  Her film was funded by a UNFPA/GMC Direct Action media grant.

By Robi Chacha Omondi

Robi Chacha Omondi an anti-FGM campaigner. Here, she shares here her experience of interviewing many people in Kuria, Kajiado and Garissa to help stop the cutting over the Easter period. The video that was created is mainly spoken in Swahili, with some interviews delivered in English.

Project overview 

I worked on FGM in Kuria, Kajiado, and Garissa where it is anticipated to experience FGM during this long holiday that the girls will be at home. I talked to locals, leaders, and a clinical officer. Sadly this Easter period is a very busy time for cutting girls and so it is more essential that we raise awareness through the media to bring attention and hopefully bring change to these communities. 

My project was successful since I managed to record the videos of my sources talking about the situation in the areas, and aired the story on K24 TV prime news (7 PM and 9 PM) with a viewership of more than one million people. I have uploaded it on YouTube expecting to give a push to reach more people. Here is the report.

Difficulties encountered 

The challenge is just accessing these remote areas and also the language barrier. The locals also are skeptical about sharing information freely for fear of victimization.

Strong Messages that came out to the media project:

The people are more willing to listen and let go of these harmful practices.

Women are taking the lead in ending FGM

Unexpected Wins

Women leaders are using their positions to fight FGM

Education is one way of fighting FGM

Challenges 

It may take longer to end the vice if we don’t involve all the stakeholders

Robi Chacha Omondi

Impact 

FGM cannot be addressed individually as it also involves and leads to teenage pregnancy and early marriages.

Linkages from the project Women leader in Kajiado

  • Women leaders in Kuria
  • Women leaders in Garissa
  • Health workers

Next time…

We will use translators to be able to mine more information from the locals.

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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.