Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) cases among schoolgirls in Kajiado County have dropped from 96 to 76 percent, an activist against FGM has revealed.
Girl Child Network Executive Director, Mercy Musomi, attributed the decrease to successful sensitization campaigns by different stakeholders in the community regarding the dangers and negative effects of the cut.
Musomi said that they are still holding sensitization meetings on how to completely eliminate the exercise in the community.
She said that the decrease in the cases has allowed more girls to access education who will in turn create job opportunities and help in fighting poverty back home.
Head of Education, UNESCO East Africa Region, Lamine Mamadou Sow acknowledged the success so far, noting that the organization will continue promoting women’s rights to education and health, and sensitizing the community on the effects of FGM.
In Kenya, 4 million girls and women have undergone FGM. Statistics indicate that 21 percent of girls and women aged 15 to 49 years have been subjected to the practice.
The 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2022 KDHS) revealed that 34% of women have experienced Gender Based Violence.
It also reported a drop in FGM prevalence from 21% to 15% nationally among women aged 15-49 years.
By Obegi Malack
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