Educate girls and fight poverty in Kenya

December 2025 marked a powerful milestone for Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP). A record 1,171 girls participated in Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) ceremonies, making it the largest ARP in our history, and preventing 1,171 cases of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C).

In the rural communities where we work in Kenya, harmful practices like FGM/C are often deeply rooted in tradition and seen as a necessary step into womanhood. But too often, they lead to early marriage, school dropout, and long-term health consequences—cutting short a girl’s opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.

Through ARP, WGEP, and our local partners—Tharaka Women’s Welfare Programme, HOPE for Girls Education Africa, and Enkishon Sidai Africa—are working hand-in-hand with communities to redefine what it means for girls to transition into adulthood. Together, they are replacing harm with empowerment and fear with opportunity.

ARP is more than a ceremony—it’s a transformative educational experience. Girls engage in intensive training on reproductive health, bodily autonomy, leadership, communication, and decision-making. They are equipped with the tools to advocate for themselves, stay in school, and pursue their goals with confidence.

This work is central to WGEP’s mission to educate girls and break the cycle of poverty. When girls are able to stay in school and avoid harmful practices, they are more likely to delay marriage, increase their lifetime earnings, and reinvest in their families and communities—creating a ripple effect that spans generations.

Because of your support, more girls than ever are stepping into their futures safe, educated, and empowered to lead change.