More sensitization needed in the fight to undermine Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Tuesday, March 7, 2017

More sensitization needed in the fight to undermine Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

NASEYIO

Naseiyo is15 years old, a class seven (G7) pupil at a local public primary school located in World Vision Kenya ILaramatak Area Programme. She is the governor of a dormitory and a class prefect. Even as she pursues education to improve her life, it has not been an easy journey for Naseiyo.

Life was about to change for Naseiyo, her parents were making plans for her to undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) or the Cut. She was just 10 years old. All she wanted was to achieve her dreams and had no desire to undergo the painful mutilation and mandatory cultural practice in her community.

“My own mother was one of the key advocates for me to take part in the cut. The sad part is that, I was informed that I would not continue with my education obviously, after the cut” says Naseiyo.

“In order to save myself from FGM, I had to contact my teacher who worked closely with World Vision Kenya. I ran away from home to Naroosura where WV Kenya offices are located.” “I was asked what do I want, all that I said was the need for me to pursue education.” says Naseiyo.

“The staff of the organisation brought me to this school that is a boarding school in Elengata Enterit. They later took me home to meet my parents.” she said.

“My parents were not familiar of my whereabouts after my disappearance from home. My parents have so far changed their mind for me, not to undergo the cut.” Divulged Naseiyo.

“Yes I am positive I can stay home with my parents. However I only pay a visit to the family home twice per year, that is in December and September.” she adds.

Naseiyo knows the impact of FGM. She says she has seen the health problems girls who have undergone the cut experience and attests that five of her friend’s health have been affected adversely. In a depressed tone, she narrates the story of a friend who underwent the cut and due to excessive bleeding during child birth, she died.

Naseiyo says that if you undergo FGM, you will have a higher risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection.

She wants the county and national government with non governmental organisations to partner together and walk with parents, who need to understand the impact of FGM. 

In a motivational tone she says “Let them not juts say it is our culture” She appreciates the support to pursue her education from her sponsor and WV Kenya

 

JANE

“It took me four hours to walk from home to World Vision Kenya offices located in Naroosura. I was seeking refugee after I run-away from home” says Jane.

“My own parents wanted me to undergo the Female Genital Mutilation or Cut (FGM/Cut). Their intention was to remove me from school and marry me off to a 66 year old man. That is when I become a woman after undergoing the cut. I was just 10 years old and the old man was yet to pay bride price, says jane.

“I informed the head teacher of the plans underway for me to undergo FGM. Immediately I was taken to World Vision Kenya offices located in Naroosura, where staff assisted me to get a place at a rescue centre. My parents were not aware of my whereabouts until WV Kenya paid them a visit.” She says.

A rumour began in her village that she was enrolled at a local public school. That is when her parents paid a visit and asked if she could go back home.

Jane visits the parents once per year, only during the December holidays.

“Even though my parents are afraid of being arrested and jailed if they force me to undergo the cut. That is what makes me to be bold to visit them.” says Jane

She continues that “Our parents like the FGM cultural practice that we know has negative health impact to the girl child. We want our parents to be more sensitised about FGM in order to stop such a cultural exercise.” Implores Jane. 

She is asking for more support to World Vision Kenya, so that they can continue to help more girls in her community not to undergo FGM.

 

MARIA

"I was 11 years old when my parents wanted me to undergo Female Genital Mutilation or the Cut (FGM/Cut).My own sister alerted me of the plans and made sure that I escaped during the preparation. It was around seven o’clock in the evening. My elder sister is educated and is familiar about the negative impact that girls who undergo the cut pass through.

“I ran to my uncle’s house who is a Christian, educated and an advocate against the practice of FGM in our community.” says Jane.

Jane stayed at home for a week before being enrolled at a local public school that is also part of a rescue center. She knows the negative impact of FGM on a girl child.

“It will make you have a high risk of infection to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and giving birth will also be a challenge.” says Maria.

 

TURERE

“I was 12 years old when my parents wanted me to undergo Female Genital Mutilation or the Cut (FGM/Cut). Plans were underway that at 7:00 o’clock in the morning it was my time for me to be mutilated. My own sister and brother rescued me from the cut and told me to escape.” She reveals.

According to Turere, the sister quietly made her escape from the house as they made a phone call to a head teacher. I was told to go to my uncle’s house who took me to World Vision Kenya offices located in Naroosura.

Turere stayed at a children’s home in Narok for two months.

Her parents were engaged by the head teacher and World Vision Kenya staff on matters FGM and urged to find a proper solution to address the issue.

Turere does not see her parents quite often. She says “I do not go for holidays back at home.”

Her fear is that “they will capture me at night and make me undergo FGM.  So I pay them a visit for a day and just for a few hours.” says Turere

Turere moved from their home and now stays with the uncle, to avoid taking part in the common community cultural practice where girls are either forced or willingly undergo the cut.

“My brother still informs me that my parents are still making plans for me to still undergo FGM.” She reveals.

In a desperate tone, Turere wants her parents to listen and not force her to undergoz the cut.

“I doubt if they will understand, they need to be talked to persistently by the school head teacher and WV Kenya.”. She adds that she feels pain for failing to see her parents for a long time, just because of their desire to keep the cultural practice.

However, such issues of the FGM culture have not affected Turere’s education. She says she is among the top best students in her primary school.