Kenya Races Against Time to End FGM adn Child Marriage by 2030
Nairobi โ- Withโค only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, Kenya is at a critical juncture in its efforts to โขeliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) โand child marriage. Sustainedโ progress coupled with a significant expansion of existing interventions are now essential to achieve thes goals, according to โa recent report.
The reportโค emphasizes the need to replicate successful community-led programs that have demonstrated positive results in reducing the prevalence of these harmful โขpractices. These models frequently enoughโ involve engaging local leaders, โขreligious figures, and community members in awareness campaigns and โขproviding choice livelihood opportunities for girls โand women. Strengthened โborder enforcement isโฃ also cited as a crucial component, aiming to prevent cross-border FGM practices, particularly duringโฃ school holidays when girls are more vulnerable.
A keyโข suggestion focuses on increased investment in education and health programs specifically designed to protect girls. This includes ensuring access toโข quality education, complete sexual and reproductive health services,โ and psychosocial support for survivors of FGM and child marriage. โThese programs are vital in empowering girls to make informed decisions about their lives and โresist harmful traditional practices.
“progressโ isโ absolutely possible, but not certain. The elimination ofโค FGM โขandโข child marriage โrequires urgent, sustained and scaled action,” the report states.This underscores the urgency of the โคsituation and theโ need for a โคcoordinated and comprehensive approach involving the government, civil society organizations, and international partners.
FGM, despite being illegal in Kenya as 2011โ with penalties including imprisonment andโ fines, remains prevalent in several communities, particularly amongโค the Somali, Maasai, Samburu, and Kisii populations. Child marriage,โ similarly outlawed, continues to affect girls’ education, health, and overall well-being. The practice often stems from poverty,cultural โnorms,and a lack of access to education and economic opportunities.
Kenya’s commitment to โขending FGM and child marriage aligns withโ sustainable Advancement Goal 5,โ which aims toโ achieveโฃ gender equality and empower all women and girls. The 2030 target represents aโ significant challenge, requiring a strategic and collaborative effort to โคovercome deeplyโข entrenched social โฃnorms โขand ensureโ the protection of vulnerable girls across theโค country.