Efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) must include educating and enlightening all members of society, including men and boys.

Why we care: FGM violates girls and women’s human rights, denying them their physical and mental integrity, their right to freedom from violence and discrimination, and, in some cases, their lives.

How we’re solving this: Coexist Initiative will educate and enlighten members of Kajiado County, Kenya, by working with target groups, creating media campaigns, and creating printed materials.

Female genital mutilation has no known health benefits yet it remains a deeply entrenched practice. Although it has been outlawed in Kenya, it persists in secrecy. The practice has been driven underground, encouraging families to discreetly force their daughters to undergo the practice. In a recent survey conducted by Coexist Initiative, 91% of the respondents affirmed that they support the practice. Efforts to end FGM must include educating and enlightening all members of society to understand FGM for the harmful and destructive practice it is. 

In Kajiado County, Kenya, community members will participate in the project to artistically express and illustrate their fears, attitudes, ideas, experiences and encounters with the  prevention and eradication of gender based violence. This will be done through art, poems, cartoons, drama and dance. Materials (see below) will also be created to raise awareness about FGM and why it must be eradicated. Coexist Initiative will also work with community level media outlets, especially radio stations, to talk about FGM. These outlets will provide information, highlight the plight of survivors and rally support towards the eradication of the same. Of the 10,000 community members that will be reached, Coexist Initiative will conduct 10 focus group discussions with 10 male participants each, men and boys, to assess behavior change throughout this project.

Materials being produced

• 2,000 Handbills
• 2,000 Brochures
• 500 Posters
• 2 Banners
• 2,000 Flyers
• 400 Kangas

Outcomes

• 10% involvement of men in anti-FGM activities in the target region
• 15% increased community awareness about the negative social and health consequences of the FGM
• Established community based safety networks managed by men and boys to result in enhanced security for  girls at both the community and family level increased by 15%
• Media practitioners levels of awareness about FGM raised and their capacities to objectively cover FGM