Gender Equality Kenya Project #17210

Train 120 Health & Human Rights promoters in Kenya

by Hope Foundation for African Women (HFAW)

Project Report | Jan 8, 2024
Male engagement training on Anti-FGM at Nyaronge

By Doris Kananu | Program Director

Group photo after the engagement session

Dear Esteemed Supporters and Cheerleaders,
We are thrilled to share with you the outcomes of the men's training held at Nyaronge in Nyamira County on the eradication of female genital mutilation (FGM) and gender-based violence (GBV) in October 2023. Your continued support has enabled us to extend our reach to address critical issues within hard-to-reach communities. Nyaronge was identified as an area where men were unknowingly contributing to high cases of GBV. FGM is also high in this area. In response, the HFAW team organized a training session for 25 men, including the area chief and community health volunteers.

During the session, participants actively engaged in discussions about GBV and FGM, their causes, effects on girls and women, impact on men, and the entire community, and what the community can do to end these practices. These men learnt for the first time that women take much longer to be sexually fulfilled than men. Men also began to see how FGM affects them and the entire community and how FGM contributes to high incidences of domestic violence.

Men began to raise essential questions. Alfred, not his real name, highlighted how cultural norms always restrict men from certain responsibilities traditionally deemed feminine, which contributes to marital conflicts.

Nyabuya, not his real name, expressed concerns regarding his wife’s resistance to his desire for sex. “She is always avoiding me during our intimate time.” He said. “But today, I have known where the problem is... I have to change the approach, as you have advised. This is such important training.”

Mongare, not his real name, said, "Thank you, our officers, for making me see the effects of FGM in our homes.”

Gisemba, not his real name, highlighted issues of difficulty during delivery. “After childbirth, my wife would go forever before allowing intimate relationships. She gets multiple tears and many stiches after every childbirth. Only today have I made sense of why this is so.Thank you all for this important training.”.

At the end of this training, there was consensus among men that FGM and GBV must stop in their community.

To everyone’s laughter, Mosigisi, not his real name, said, “I admit to my past mistakes and pledge to initiate dialogues with my wife, seek forgiveness and bring positive changes.” He continued “ I am one of those who if my wife says no to sex, I jump on her, satisfy myself and go to sleep.” Basically many men admitted to raping their wives over and over.

So Mosigisi urged to all men who have been having a similar behavior, “let’s go and change, ask for forgiveness and have a change." He announced, “We can’t blame women, they are going through a cultural practice installed by our community.” He said.
At the end of the training, all participants unanimously agreed to advocate for change within their communities. They committed to fostering open communication, understanding, and shared responsibilities. The HFAW team recognized that FGM contributes significantly to GBV cases, often unintentionally, and expressed gratitude for the participant's commitment.

As valued supporters, we invite you to share our mission with your friends and networks and encourage them to contribute to our cause. Your continued support empowers us to make a meaningful impact on the lives of these women and men in communities.
Once again, thank you for being a vital part of our journey in creating positive change.
Sincerely,
Doris kananu

Gladys demonstrating a photo on the effects of FGM

Joyce empowering the men to be anti-FGM advocates

A father passionately speak on protecting his girl

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Sep 11, 2023
MALE TRAINING HELD AT MEKENENE

By Doris kananu | HFAW Program Director

Group photo after training

Dear Esteemed Friends and Partners,

We want to express our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support in our mission to transform societies and combat harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Your contributions have made a significant impact on our work, and we are thrilled to share the outcomes of our recent male training session held in Mekenene, Nyamira County, on July 16th, 2023.

At HFAW, our primary goal is to drive societal change, and we recognize that men play a crucial role in this transformation, both as advocates for change and as individuals who may inadvertently contribute to harmful practices like FGM. To address these issues, we selected 25 men to undergo training and become ambassadors for the anti-FGM cause. Notably, we also included law enforcement officials in this training due to the intersection between gender-based violence (GBV) and FGM.

The agenda for the training was comprehensive, covering vital topics such as:

Men's Involvement in Ending FGM.
Living with Survivors of FGM: The Association of FGM with GBV.
Utilizing SCC (Social Change Communication) Methodology.
Creating and Implementing Action Plans.

During the training, participants were actively engaged in dialogues and asked insightful questions, reflecting their commitment to the cause. James aptly pointed out that FGM should be seen as a national disaster that many men are unaware of, a sentiment that resonated with the group. Shockingly, four out of five men admitted to unknowingly mistreating their wives, highlighting the need for education and awareness.

Osoro expressed his newfound passion for community issues and his determination to become an ambassador. He vowed to address the challenges faced by both families and communities, recognizing that ignorance often hinders the resolution of such issues.

Gwaro, on the other hand, acknowledged the unique aspect of the training where women fearlessly addressed a forum of men, openly discussing private matters. He expressed his regret regarding his wife's situation and called for similar training sessions targeting women.

HFAW Staff detailed answers to the questions. She explained that if criteria is cut it can't be replaced that is why everyone must resist the cut. She also encouraged the girls to seek health care if they have a keloid or any other health issue in their private parts. The cultural roots of FGM were discussed including the patriarchal institution which strives to control women. By the end of the day everyone rose against the FGM practice and promised to educate the community.

The men who participated in this transformative training expressed profound gratitude for the knowledge they gained and expressed a strong desire for additional training sessions, inclusive of both women and men.

With heartfelt gratitude, we seek your continued support in our efforts to reach even more individuals on the ground. Together, we can create lasting change and eradicate harmful practices while promoting gender equality and community well-being.

Please share this information with your friends and family as to why FGM must stop and encourage them to make a contribution.Again thank you for your donation.

Warm regards,

Doris Kananu

Round table discussions on FGM

Joyce training the men on the impacts of FGM

A law enforcer urging the men to be Anti-FGM

Engaging the men during the training. jpg

Gladys demonstrating effects of FGM

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May 15, 2023
Anti-FGM Advocacy at Sirete Primary School

By Edah Mokua | Project Manager

One of the boys discussing how to fight FGM.

Our Esteemed Supporters and Cheerleaders,

Thanks to your important support, we reached 313 pupils including 160 boys and 153 girls at Sirete primary school on 17th April 2023. Sirete is located at a hard to reach sub location in Nyamira County a place which is showing high prevalence numbers especially in hard to reach sub-locations. Our staff and Health and rights promoters often have to go out of their way to access such schools and often have to use a bodaboda (mortal cycle). Our sole objective was to educate the pupils about the harmful effects of FGM, how to resist it through speaking up as well as reporting to the authorities.

As you would expect at first the pupils were shy and secretive in talking with HFAW advocates about FGM. Using their popular education approach which is nothing less than participatory HFAW taught the kids to discover how harmful the FGM practice is; what it is, its effects on children and mothers and the whole community. They ensured that the pupils got to unveil the root causes of FGM. How it is rooted in gender inequalities in this community where only boys are allowed to inherit property and how in some homes girls do not compete equally with girls at school despite the fact that in each of these villages girls number more than boys. They then touched on step by step process for resistance by saying no to the cut, reporting to the 116 number, reporting to the elders, and to the community health promoters.

Slowly by slowly the advocates build the pupils confidence to share and speak up about the trends which they see in their village from year to year. Eliana, not her real name, eloquently shared how she was cut at 10 years. “It was really painful and I could not run away from the women who held me down and covered my mouth with dirty linen.” She said with teary eyes. “I wish I knew all these that you have told us today.” She expressed.

Olive shared how her younger sister was recently transported to her grandmother for the cut. “I wish you had been here, we would have known what to do. “She said. Staff challenged the young boys to fight side by side with the girls in ending FGM and work hard with girls to become Nyamira youth ambassadors to end FGM. They were told that in other parts of Nyamira we already have such anti-fgm ambassadors. “You should be pioneers in this area” said Joyce. And the youngsters did not disappoint. They were more than ready and promised to speak up in the villages and churches.

As our valued Supporter and cheerleader, we want you to know that your financial assistance enables us to accomplish far more than we could ever express in words. Saving just one girl means so much to these girls and the HFAW team.

Please share our donation links with your friends and family and explain why their contribution will safe a girl from the FGM cut. Let them know why you care about this project. Ones again, with much gratitude, we thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Edah Mokua

Gladys explaining to the pupils effects of FGM.

HFAW team and sirate fraternity in a group photo

Sirate teacher thanks HFAW for the visit.

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