Anti-FGM stakeholders in Baringo decry lack of adequate safe spaces to support survivor protection

Anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) stakeholders in Baringo County have decried the lack of adequate safe spaces and rescue centers for survivors of the harmful practice.

The concerns emerged during the launch of the County Anti-FGM Steering Committee held in Kabarnet Town, where leaders and activists called for urgent interventions to strengthen survivor protection and support systems.

According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, Baringo County recorded an FGM prevalence rate of 21.2 percent, significantly higher than the national average of 15 percent.

Anti-FGM Board Director of Programmes Nyerere Kutwa emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in combating the vice, which remains prevalent in Tiaty, Mogotio and parts of Baringo South and North constituencies inhabited mainly by the Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus communities.

Speaking during the multi-sectoral forum, Kutwa acknowledged that inadequate infrastructure and limited resources continue to hinder efforts aimed at eradicating FGM in the county.

“We cannot win the war against FGM if we don’t have a structured operation of doing things,” said Kutwa.

He however assured stakeholders that advocacy and sensitization efforts would continue as both levels of government and non-state actors seek funding for key infrastructure to support all the 30 wards in the county.

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Representatives from Community Based Organizations and anti-FGM champions said the absence of rescue centers and weak referral systems have exposed many survivors to further suffering while seeking medical and psychosocial assistance.

Faith Cherutich, representing the Tugen community, noted that many survivors are forced to travel long distances to access healthcare services, only to face delays and lack of adequate support.

“Many survivors miss timely medical attention and are left traumatized without psychosocial support or legal guidance. We need more rescue centers and safe spaces to protect vulnerable girls,” she said.

Cherutich appealed to the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Hanna Cheptumo, to support the establishment of more rescue facilities across the county.

Rongai Leyakwara from the Ilchamus community cautioned women against home deliveries, saying some traditional birth attendants exploit the opportunity to secretly carry out FGM procedures.

“Women should embrace hospital deliveries because some traditional midwives still use home births to perpetuate FGM without the knowledge or consent of mothers,” Leyakwara said.

She also urged stakeholders to utilize mainstream and digital media platforms to educate communities and challenge retrogressive cultural beliefs that continue to fuel the practice.

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Baringo County Director in charge of Youth Affairs and Gender Daudi Aengwo admitted that the county government faces major financial constraints in implementing anti-FGM programmes across the vast region covering more than 11,000 square kilometers.

Aengwo disclosed that the department had been allocated only Sh600,000 in the current financial year for gender mainstreaming and sensitization activities despite the need to conduct numerous outreach programmes across the grassroots.

“The budget is too small compared to the magnitude of the challenge. We are expected to carry out more than 12 sensitization programmes across the county, yet the resources are extremely limited,” he said.

He called for greater involvement of elders from the Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus communities in condemning harmful cultural practices affecting women and girls.

Stakeholders at the forum expressed optimism that the newly launched steering committee would strengthen coordination among government agencies, civil society groups and local communities in the fight against FGM.

By Kimutai Langat