The WeCare-Association has been working for over ten years to support and promote women and children in the Rift Valley, south-east of Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Our focus is on helping women to help themselves and strengthening their self-confidence.
The problem of FGM in Kenya
FGM (female genital mutilation) is a major problem, especially in the remote Maasai communities. For the parents, this is a social rite that marks the transition from child to woman. The girls concerned are often unsuspecting and fall victim to this terrible practice.
Through direct contact with FGM victims, we have heard time and again that the girls would have fought back if they had known what was about to happen to them. They don’t want their sisters or friends to have to go through the same thing.
The pressure on the girls and young women is enormous, both from the family (mothers, mothers-in-law and husbands) and from the cutter, who often also act as midwives.
The work of the WeCare Association in the Rift Valley
Although FGM is officially banned in Kenya, this has led to the topic becoming even more taboo. However, we are proud of the girls in Mperrishi who have broken this taboo and performed their own mutilation in front of the whole community in an impressive performance. Watch the incredible video here.
Awareness and education campaigns on the ground
Our aim is to convince everyone involved – men, women, parents and teachers – that it is better for the future of the girls and the community if FGM is avoided. The mutilation often means the end of the girls’ school education. According to a 2017 study by the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), educated women in Kenya have fewer children on average than uneducated women.
The fight against FGM requires action at various levels, including education and awareness-raising campaigns for all those involved (parents, cutter, girls). As Maasai society is strongly patriarchal, it is also crucial to convince men of the senselessness of FGM. It is also important to enable girls to attend school, as school offers both education and protection from FGM.
Development of an action plan
In collaboration with local FGM activist Agnes Gitonga, we have developed an action plan for the communities of Iloshon and Mperrishi.
Our activities include:
- Awareness and education campaigns on the ground
- Identification of girls who have already been circumcised and girls at risk
- Enabling girls to attend school by ensuring that they and their parents meet certain criteria
- Accompanying and supporting the girls during their school years
We currently look after around 50 girls in the two communities and are always on the lookout for sponsors who would like to enable a girl to attend school.
Become a sponsor and support girls’ education
Become a sponsor now and help finance a girl’s school education. Together we can advance the fight against FGM and change the lives of these girls.
Donate now and support our awareness campaigns
