A newly released study has laid bare the harsh realities faced by women and girls in Narok County, revealing widespread gender-based violence, persistent harmful cultural practices, and systemic gaps in safeguarding reproductive health rights.
The research, conducted under the IMARA Project by WeWorld and ARCO-PIN, with support from the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, was unveiled during a community event attended by stakeholders, government officials, and residents in Narok County.
Covering all four sub-counties-Narok Central, East, North, and South—the study surveyed 671 respondents and engaged 48 participants through focus group discussions and key informant interviews.
The findings paint a troubling picture: 77 per cent of respondents believe women should endure gender-based violence to preserve family unity, while one in every two women knows someone who experienced physical abuse within the past year.
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) also remains prevalent, with nearly one in four respondents reporting knowledge of a girl who underwent the practice in the last 12 months, despite its prohibition under Kenyan law.
“These findings are a wake-up call,” said Caterina Arciprete, a researcher with ARCO’s Inclusive Development Unit. “They show that harmful practices continue despite progressive laws, largely because of ingrained social norms and limited community engagement.”
The report further highlights that out-of-school girls are particularly vulnerable, often exposed to early pregnancies, forced marriages, and limited economic prospects.
Although Kenya has established a legal framework banning FGM and child marriage, the study reveals that such practices persist in Narok, frequently hidden behind cultural justifications or resolved through informal justice systems.
To address these challenges, the report recommends a multi-pronged strategy, including the establishment of safe houses, strengthening of community reporting systems, improved access to menstrual hygiene services, and expanded education and awareness campaigns both in schools and at the grassroots level.
It also underscores the importance of involving key community influencers such as teachers, health workers, and religious leaders in shifting social norms.
“Transforming gender norms begins with education and grassroots leadership,” Arciprete added. “Empowering youth and local champions is not just important — it is essential.”
During the launch, Agnes Ntutu, the spouse of the Narok Governor, called for urgent and collective action to address the issues raised.
“This is not just a report — it is a call to action,” she said. “And it is a promise to the women and girls of Narok County that their dignity, safety, and future matter.”
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The IMARA Project, which focuses on sexual and reproductive health rights, is expected to work closely with the Narok County Government and local communities to translate the findings into targeted programmes and policy reforms.
As Narok grapples with deep-seated cultural and structural barriers, stakeholders say the study provides a crucial roadmap for change—placing the rights, voices, and well-being of women and girls at the centre of the county’s development agenda.
By Kimutai Langat
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