Train 120 Health & Human Rights promoters in Kenya

Dear Friend and Partner

We had a men’s training in Kebirigo, Nyamira County, on men living with FGM survivors. This was in line with our goal to train 120 health and human rights promoters in Kenya. On this forum, we trained 25 men, and we are happy to report to you the outcome of the meeting. Our prior efforts, supported by your generous donations, have created fruits since more CHHRPs are seeing the importance of involving men in ending FGM and addressing other health issues more than ever before. In fact, the beneficiaries of the project now offer to spread the end FGM messages and mobilize for other members of the community to be trained.

We covered topics like civic education, child protection, economic empowerment, Gender-Based Violence, and the health effects of FGM. While these areas of training may seem varied, our goal is to promote the empowerment of the community with priority to ending FGM, which have been proven to be connected to the gaps in knowledge helpful in addressing the challenges.

‘I have learned the various forms of gender-based violence. I appreciate this training because it has clarified that all the factors provided as reasons for GBV are merely triggers. I know that the real reason for the continued violence we continue to experience in families is because of gender roles. Chances are, a  man beats his wife because he considers her weak and believes he can get away with it. Otherwise, if he does it because of being annoyed, the he would be fighting his peers at social joints anytime they disagree with him’, said Twara, a local pastor at Kebirigo.

Some of the high point of discussion during the training was on the prevalence of FGM in the region. As we have mentioned in our previous reports, the 2014 Kenya Demographic Health Survey ranked Nyamira and Kisii among the areas with the highest prevalence of FGM. Apart from FGM, the regions are also affected by social problems like teenage pregnancies, poverty, and school drop-out. The situation has led to conclusions that FGM may be connected to the rise of these problems, specifically among the Abagusii. However, we are hopeful that the next report will show decrease in FGM, because of the work we have been doing because of your support.

'My wife and I realized the effects of FGM just recently. Today, I have gained a deeper insight into the issue. Now I feel more informed to advocate for alternative rites of passage. Our church usually holds training for girls and boys transitioning from primary school to secondary school. During this forum, other members of the community and I, usually condemn FGM’, said Peter, a participant during the training.

Dear partner, the milestones we are making in the community point to a positive future. Thank you for your donations. While there is still more to be done, we do not underestimate where we have come from-courtesy of your support. We encourage you to share our work with your friends and family so that they see the positive impact you are making in our community.

Dear Friend and Partner,

We wish to thank you supporting the development of our community through empowering men and women to be community health and human rights promoters. We have trained them and impacted them with skills that they are using to address the challenges experienced in the community. While there is still more work to be done, we appreciate that, courtesy of the efforts by the CHHRPs, more parents are shunning FGM, girls are expressing interests in continuing with education instead of engaging in behavior that put them at risk of teenage pregnancies, and matters previously discussed in low tones like menstrual hygiene and sexual and reproductive health are being discussed in open forums hence leading to effective and long-term solutions. 

On the 14th of October, we marked the International Day of the Girl Child at Nyaronde grounds, Nyamira. We focussed on advocating for the end of FGM, teenage pregnancies, period-shaming, and encouraging girls to stay focused on their education. The projected received special support from Khatsimi Simami, Ph.D. student, University of Washington, Information School. The event attracted more than one hundred girls and women from Nyaronde, Nyamira. The day is usually marked annually worldwide on every 11th of October. However, the community members requested us to hold the event on the 14th. The CHHRPs expressed interest in being part and parcel of this day so that they could use this platform to continue advocating for the protection of girls and women’s rights. 

The event began with a walk covering a distance of at least 5 km. Then the participants convened at Nyaronde grounds to discuss the theme of the day, Gilrforce, unscripted, and unstoppable. The highlight of the day was the provision of sanitary towels to girls from deprived backgrounds who can barely afford sanitary towels.The idea was inspired by a sad case of a girl who committed suicide because her allegedly teacher ridiculed her for staining her skirt with her menstrual blood. By gifting the girls sanitary towels, HFAW hoped to change the negative attitude towards mothly periods and increase the confidence and sense of self-worth among girls who live in an environment that rarely give them emotional and economic support during such moments. 

‘Many of us struggle to get sanitary towels. Worse is the fact that no one psychologically prepares us for the effects periods will have on our bodies. I witnessed my primary school classmate refusing to leave her seat in class until everyone is gone because of being worried about stains. I have also had moments where I lack sanitary pads hence using pieces of clothing which is unhygienic and unhealthy. Sometimes I would resort to missing school. I know I am not alone. Something needs to be done. We are grateful to organizations like HFAW, which are working to eliminate the problem’, Catherine, a 17-year old girl.

‘I believe that teenage pregnancy is still among the main challenges affecting girls in this area. I do not have a child. I owe that to the mentorship I have received from my sister and parents. Also, I want to focus on excelling in my studies first, get a good job, then think about starting a family. I wish other girls would receive the type of support I have received. We would not be witnessing the high cases of teenage pregnancies in this region.’, said Sali.

‘Words cannot begin to describe how thoughtful this project was. I enjoyed being part of this. I plan to issue the pads to girls whom we identified. I hope you consider doing this in this area again. It directly impacts and uplifts girls’, Jackie, the area sub-chief.

Dear friend and partner, after wrapping up the event at Nyaronde grounds, the HFAW team went to Pisgan primary school to gift girls from poor backgrounds with sanitary towels. The headteacher, deputy, and staff member received the team. After the introduction, the girls were called to receive their gifts. We are grateful to Simami and the whole GlobalGiving platform for showing this kind of love for girls in our community. Because of you, they are no longer ashamed of having to go through a menstrual cycle because, thanks to this event, they now know that periods are natural, beautiful, and a sign of growth.