This initiative is a partnership between Action for Children in Conflict and Gesundes Afrika, with the goal of eliminating FGM/C and transforming harmful social and gender norms to protect girls and women from FGM/C, child marriage, teenage pregnancies, and other forms of GBV.
The project is implemented in Laikipia North Constituency,
covering nine locations: Mukogodo, Loborsoit, Ilmotiok, Ilgwesi,Ilpolei,
Ilndigiri, Mumonyot, Makurian and Seek.
Project Thematic Areas
a. Strengthening Community Engagement
Training Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), Gender
Defenders, and Community Elders on:
Reporting FGM
cases
Providing first
aid and psychosocial support to FGM survivors
Engaging elders in
advocating for Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) instead of FGM
b. School Health Clubs
Establishing school health clubs in 30 schools after
training 60 teachers (2 per school). These clubs empower students with
knowledge on:
Child
rights and protection
Basic
first aid skills
Understanding
puberty and adolescence
Sexual
and reproductive health
The
dangers of FGM/C and GBV
Reporting
channels for abuse cases
c. Intergenerational Dialogues
Conducting quarterly forums in all nine locations in
Laikipia North allowing bridge generational gaps, offering platform for community
members to openly discuss the dangers of FGM, child marriage, and GBV. It
further aims to promote community-wide acceptance of Alternative Rites of
Passage (ARP).
d. Strengthening Child Protection Structures
The project works closely with Child Protection Working
Groups, bringing together key stakeholders, including:
Ministry
of Health
Ministry
of Education
Local
administration (chiefs, local leaders)
Police
officers and judiciary representatives
Children’s
office
Social
services office
Gender
office
e. Conducting Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP)
The project aims to conduct nine ARPs across the nine target
locations. Each ARP ceremony will bring together 150 girls, equipping them
with:
