Youth, when meaningfully engaged, hold the key to ending Female Genital Mutilation/Cut (FGM/C) and forced marriages. Youth globally do not feel bound by rules and regulations set and tend to question practices.
Men4change is a youth-led organization formed with the support of Action Aid Kenya, a consortium partner of The Girl Generation-Support to the Africa-led Movement (TGG-ALM) to End FGM/C.
As men, we have the privilege of a voice and an audience in our community. As soon as we understood the complex experiences of women when they undergo FGM/C, we decided to use our voice to speak against this vice and make the fight more inclusive.
Abdijabar AbdiKadir, Team leader-Men4Change Kiina Ward
Predominantly occupied by the Samburu and Borana communities, Isiolo County has one of the highest prevalence rates of FGM/C in the country with girls between the age of 9-15 years being at a greater risk.
According to The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), the prevalence of FGM generally increases with age; with 9% of women aged 15–19 having been circumcised. Men4Change do intend to zero in on the gap and ensure that women in their communities are free from any form of violence.
“When engaging with men we make it clear that we are not assigning blame. The purpose is to create a lasting solution, not to reprimand men for the problem.” Adds Adbikadir.
THE TRUTH
“For the longest time, the Borana community thought that FGM/C was enshrined in their culture. Others thought that it was a religious practice hence they have been compelled to practice it. Men4Change has been at the forefront of rallying the elders in the community to put an end to this debate.”
“I learned through engaging elders that FGM/C is not enshrined in the Borana culture nor is it a religious practice. The Borana are practising it because they’ve adopted it from the neighbouring communities living amongst them. Involving elders and influential community leaders as integral levers in the fight to end FGM/C has strengthened our capacity as Men4Change.” Said Abdikadir.
“This approach has helped us expand our reach beyond those who are already interested in putting an end to the practice. However, encouraging participation from disinterested or passive individuals remains a huge challenge.” Added Abdikadir
THE EXPECTED CHANGE
TGG-ALM envisions a world where girls and women can exercise their power and rights, have expanded choice and agency, and be free from violence including FGM/C.
However, the economic situation, low levels of education and the nomadic lifestyle in the communities that practice FGM/C are the main hindrances in championing change. The women and girls are forced to undergo FGM/C at an early age and married off curtailing their education. Men4change continues to make inroads into grassroots communities, and strongly believe they’ll eventually be able to put a stop to the practice.
“We organise football tournaments, road shows, debates amongst the youth and even mental health programs among survivors. We are slowly liberating the communities in Isiolo. The elders now join our campaigns and speak against the practice during meetings and madrassa- Islamic classes.”
“We aim to have a society that is free from any form of violence. A generation that supports women in all aspects of life.”
