Kajiado leads the way in eradicating FGM

Kajiado County has launched a robust policy designed to end Female Genital Mutilation.

The prevalence rate of FGM among the Maasai community living in Kajiado stands at 78 per cent. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS 2014) showed that 21 per cent of women and girls aged between 15-49 years in Kenya have undergone FGM.

On August 21, 2019, Governor Joseph ole Lenku assented to the Kajiado County FGM Policy with its launch slated for December 5, 2019.

The policy provides a framework for the eradication of FGM by sensitising the community that FGM is illegal and a violation of human rights.

It further seeks to empower and support those who perform the cut to embrace alternative sources of livelihood, while strengthening community participation in accelerating the eradication of FGM.

ENDING FGM

During the launch, Kajiado First Lady Edna Lenku said the plan will provide the legal framework required to fast-track the eradication of FGM at the county level.

"We are proud as the people of Kajiado to be the first to launch the anti-FGM policy in Kenya. Together we can end FGM," said Ms Lenku.

Anti-FGM Board chief executive officer Ms Benardette Loloju lauded the declaration by President Uhuru Kenyatta to eradicate the practice by 2020 as a major milestone towards the abandonment of the practice.

The county government received praise from UNFPA Kenya Representative, Olajide ADemola, who said; “We thank the leadership and the people of Kaiiado County for the great work they have done. It is indeed pleasing to see that this county has led the way and we call on other hotspot counties to follow the way.