Through our consortium partner Amref Health Africa, The Girl Generation-ALM in collaboration with the anti-FGM board of Kenya, hosted a webinar titled, ‘Stories from the field: Voices of Courage and Resilience — Changing the Narrative on Female Genital Mutilation’ on 11th June 2025. The webinar attracted a total of 128 participants, including government officials, activists, champions, development partners, and survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) from various regions. The webinar aimed to showcase the power of real-life stories to inspire and drive positive social norms and attitudes towards ending FGM and
featured TGG-ALM presentation on learnings from story-telling as a tool for social change and a panel session for narrators in the stories of change booklet to share their lived experiences on ending FGM.
Voices of the audience
There was a series of questions to assess the audience’s understanding of FGM and if they have heard stories of change as told from the lived experiences of survivors and champions of change against FGM at the beginning of the webinar. The results indicated that 73% recognize FGM as a human rights violation with only 89% having heard stories of change as told from the lived experiences of survivors and champions of change against FGM. Therefore, having the narrators as panelists from the booklet share their lived experiences on FGM during the webinar was impactful. After listening to these personal stories, 74% indicated to be extremely inspired, with 26% inspired. Also, 89% of the poll indicated that stories of change booklet is essential in advocacy and communication.
Voices from stories of change booklet
Okon Abdi, an anti-FGM Champion and Founder for Waberi Disabled Women’s Group, a local CBO in Garissa County, in Kenya.
Okon, a survivor of polio narrated, “While still I had not recovered from the disability that came to me while I was very young, I was subjected to FGM. I was too young to speak up that time, too vulnerable to resist what was being done to my body, and too small to understand why . But the pain — both physical and emotional stays with me until now. Now, as I reflected on my journey, I chose not to be silent, I decided to share my story so that it can maybe help others.”
Okon transformed her pain into purpose by founding the Waberi Women Disabled Organization to advocate for girls with disabilities, focusing on FGM awareness and prevention. With support from TGG-ALM, she has empowered over 280 deaf girls in Garissa and highlighted the importance of inclusive programming, mentorship, and visibility in driving change.
Chief Danson Reson, affectionately known as ‘Champion 001’, has served as Chief (Local Administrative Officer), in Suswa for 13 years.
Danson shared a deeply personal story of witnessing his sister undergo FGM as a child, a traumatic experience that fueled his lifelong commitment to protect his daughters from FGM. As a community leader and an anti-FGM champion, he has mobilized diverse stakeholders and, with support from AmrefHealth Africa, helped rescue girls at risk of FGM, promote girls’ learning, and drive a positive shift in social norms in his community. He noted, “those girls we rescued, we were able to take them to secondary schools, we were able to take them to colleges and they are continuing even right now. They are doing very well. We have gone an extra mile as men as we have realized the importance of girls going to school.”
Naomi Kolian, an anti-FGM advocate and survivor of FGM from Narok County in Kenya.
Naomi shared a painful story of being subjected to FGM after her primary school exams, resulting in lasting physical and emotional trauma that affected her education and wellbeing. Despite these hardships, she became a strong anti-FGM advocate, founding a community-based organization, protecting her daughters and others from FGM, and even convincing her mother-in-law to abandon the practice. She noted, “The first day Amref Health Africa came, I attended their meeting. The next day, they asked who has a story and then I said I have a story but could not share my story openly. So, I wrote my story down. And when I was writing this story, I became relieved. Then the next day I stood up and shared my story. That is when I knew that Amref Health Africa was sent by God, because I got a voice and courage to speak before men and in the community, and with that, I became a champion.
Key Highlights
1. Positive storytelling is a powerful tool that can inspire action, shift social norms and accelerate efforts towards the elimination of any form of violence.
Why does it matter?
a. Stories put faces to data by revealing lived experiences, courage, resilience, and hope of the most affected by FGM or any form of gender injustice.
With champions such as Okon and Naomi as survivors, the panelists shared their lived experiences on FGM and how they transformed pain into courage and resilience, making a bold decision to protect their daughters and join efforts to influence a shift in attitudes within their communities.
b. Survivors’ stories break silence and stigma surrounding FGM or any form of gender-based violence by encouraging others to speak up, heal and come forward, strengthening collective efforts that fuels movements.
In her story, Naomi noted that she found relief the first time she wrote her story on paper.
c. Stories of change demonstrate that positive transformation is possible which ignites hope and inspire sustained action.
Despite their lived experiences on FGM, the panelists narrated the transformation they’ve contributed in their communities.
d. Lastly, facts inform, but stories move.
