Seven counties to receive Ksh.542M donor funds to eradicate FGM

Seven Kenyan counties believed to be the hotspots of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) will benefit from a €4 million (Ksh.542 million) donation from concerned partners.

The counties include Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Tharaka Nithi.

The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), during the week launched the new partnership to accelerate efforts to end the FGM vice in Kenya.

The ‘Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM Sasa!’ programme is a three-year initiative designed to support Kenya’s efforts to eradicate the vice effectively.

The support announcement came as the world marked International Day of Human Rights and the end of 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

FGM was termed as a severe form of GBV that stems from deeply rooted gender inequalities that violate the rights of women and girls and cause profound physical and psychological harm.

Despite significant progress, FGM has remained a challenge in Kenya. While national prevalence among women aged 15-49 has declined from 32 per cent in 2003 to 15 per cent in 2022, certain regions still record alarmingly high rates exceeding 70 per cent.

Persistent challenges such as deep-seated cultural and religious beliefs and emerging trends such as medicalization and cross-border practices are said to hinder eradication efforts.

With the EU’s generous support, the ‘Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM Sasa!’ programme aims to address the challenges through the engagement of frontline activists and civil society organizations while also collaborating with national and county institutions.

According to the European Union Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Henriette Geiger, “By partnering with frontline activists in Kenya, communities will be actively engaged in delivering vital FGM prevention and response services and ensuring that survivors play a meaningful and active role in shaping and contributing to all efforts aimed at ending FGM.”

Speaking at the launch, Anders Thomsen, UNFPA Representative in Kenya, reiterated that the partnership reaffirms commitment to realizing a Kenya where no girl or woman faces the trauma of FGM.

“This programme will prioritize the voices of women and girls, fostering an environment where their rights and aspirations take precedence over harmful practice,” he said.

Globally, an estimated 4.4 million girls - or more than 12,000 each day - were identified as being at risk of female genital mutilation in 2024.

The ‘Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM Sasa!’ programme will work to support elimination efforts in the Kenya’s counties with high rates of the vice.