The pain of tradition is often silent, buried in rituals passed down without question. In my community, this silence surrounds Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a practice defended as culture but one that leaves deep scars on the lives of women and girls. Growing up, I witnessed this silence and its impact on people I care about. I knew I couldn’t look away. Empathy wasn’t enough. Change demands action, and I realized it was time to step up—not just as a bystander but as an ally determined to fight for justice.
From Awareness to Action
My journey began with volunteering at the Youth Anti-FGM Network Kenya (YANK). Through this work, I learned that advocacy isn’t just about raising your voice—it’s about listening, understanding, and addressing the interconnected issues tied to FGM. This practice is not an isolated problem; it’s deeply rooted in gender inequality, poverty, and cultural norms that perpetuate harm.
At first, I felt unsure of my role as a young man in a movement primarily centered on women and girls. But I soon realized that everyone has a part to play in dismantling harmful systems. The burden cannot rest solely on women and girls to end a practice deeply rooted in gender inequality. It requires collective action—engaging men, boys, policymakers, and entire communities to challenge and transform the norms that sustain such practices.
Advocacy became my way of challenging the status quo and amplifying the resilience of girls and women in my community.
A Turning Point: Joining TGG-ALM Youth Cohort
Joining the TGG-ALM Youth Cohort through Orchid Project was a game-changer. It connected me to a regional network of like-minded youth advocates, providing a platform to share strategies, learn from each other, and navigate the challenges of advocating in a world increasingly marked by anti-rights movements.
The cohort also played a significant role in building my capacity as the National Coordinator of the Youth Anti-FGM Network Kenya (YANK). Through its resources and mentorship, I’ve been better equipped to lead advocacy efforts across 22 hotspot counties in Kenya, mobilize grassroots youth voices, and pursue systemic changes to end harmful practices.
One of our most significant achievements was co-developing the Advocacy Toolkit: Youth Advocacy & Activism to end FGM. This toolkit is more than a resource—it’s a roadmap for young advocates, helping them craft effective campaigns, tailor messages to diverse audiences, and engage stakeholders meaningfully. For me, it’s been instrumental in organizing impactful grassroots advocacy and ensuring that the voices of young people are heard at every level.
Advocacy in Action
My advocacy has grown to include work across local, national, and global levels.
- Policy Advocacy: I participated in Kenya’s review of the Prohibition of FGM Act (2011), advocating for youth representation in governance and decision-making spaces.
- Global Platforms: As part of the coalition for Kenya’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) State Report under the Child Rights Cluster, I contributed to addressing harmful practices like FGM and child marriage. I also represented youth voices at international events, such as the UN Civil Society Conference, where I advocated for stronger commitments to end these practices.
- Training and Mentorship: I’ve led workshops equipping young advocates with the tools to address FGM as an issue deeply tied to gender equality, education, and human rights.
A Call for Global and Regional Action
Ending FGM and other harmful practices demands bold, unified action. Beyond individual advocacy, we need systemic change:
- A Global Standard on Youth Engagement: The United Nations must adopt a global standard for meaningful youth engagement. This standard should prioritize inclusivity, capacity building, decision-making power, sustained partnerships, and funding for youth-led initiatives. Young people are not just beneficiaries of change; we are drivers of it, and our contributions must be recognized at every level.
- Mainstreaming the African Youth Charter: The African Union (AU) must ensure that the African Youth Charter is mainstreamed across all its work. This would institutionalize youth voices in decision-making and strengthen regional efforts to address harmful practices.
Beyond the Practice
Ending FGM isn’t just about stopping a harmful tradition—it’s about dismantling systems of inequality that deny girls and women their rights. It’s about addressing intersections between FGM, gender-based violence, limited access to education, and poverty. Tackling these connections holistically can uplift entire communities and create a future where dignity and progress coexist.
The Road Ahead
As young advocates, we have the skills, passion, and commitment to lead the fight against harmful practices. Moving forward, we need stronger partnerships, sustained resources, and global frameworks that truly value youth contributions.
Reflecting on this journey, one verse comes to mind:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
This is not just her fight—it’s ours. Together, we can break cycles of harm, rewrite cultural narratives, and build a future rooted in equality and hope.
