The day is celebrated annually, globally. We hold the celebrations annually with men, women, boys and girls. We reflect the struggle of girls and women that have undergone FGM and sensitize people on the effects of FGM. Through walks, plays and talks we let people know that FGM is illegal and should not not be practiced.
Here is our director’s speech during the International day of zero tolerance celebrations 2019.
“Female genital mutilation has no known importance throughout the countries in the world that it is conducted. Instead it has led to serious health and social complications that have impacted negatively many women’s lives.
FGM is painful and traumatic. The removal of or damage to healthy, normal genital tissue interferes with the natural functioning of the body and causes several immediate and long-term health consequences. For example, babies born to women who have undergone female genital mutilation suffer a higher rate of neonatal death compared with babies born to women who have not undergone the procedure.
The practice reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. Female genital mutilation is nearly always carried out on minors and is therefore a violation of the rights of the child. The practice also violates the rights to health, security and physical integrity of the person, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death.
As we mark this day, we focus on the means leading to the end of this practice, and key to it, is information dissemination which we are doing using community based groups and other community structures.
The constitution of Kenya 2010 provides for the rights of women and girls and protects them from all forms of discrimination, FGM among them. We focus on working towards the sustainable development goal number five on women and girls empowerment.
As we mark this day, we realize that the main purpose of conducting the practice was to instill respect and discipline among the girls. It is therefore important for the Gusii community to teach the young girls these values without going through the cut.
We appreciate all partners that we work with among them the International Solidarity foundation and the effective environment the government has provided for us to advance this agenda.”
Stella Achoki
Executive Director – CECOME
The celebrations were held at Eronge village, Kegogi location, Marani sub-county, Kisii county.
