GBV with a focus on FGM

To Advance the Rights of Children and Youth, HFAW with support from IMWCY prepared the project content with consideration to ensure physical and sexual safety, emotional well-being and spiritual health of the children, youth and adults. So far we have reached 10 schools in Nyamira county and one school in Kiambu County. The children are reached by Community health and human rights promoters together with HFAW staff using Anti-FGM messages and messages against child abuse. Parents and teachers too are involved in these outreaches.

To eradicate FGM, a multi sectoral approach is required, HFAW engages the community and its leaders through dialogue in various institutions such as the church. Church leaders are important to work since they have followers they can influence to their leadership. Church leaders are also called to take part in ceremonies related to GBV as FGM with invitation from their congregants. HFAW has worked with such leaders in in Ewaso Kedong, Kajiado County and Nyamira county.

Law enforcement and health providers deal with victims of GBV and FGM. Women have shared their experiences on how gender blind providers in these sectors are. A woman is made fun of when seeking care and ends up not getting the kind of help and services that will be helpful to her. These means that survivors become reluctant to seek help. Additionally the perpetrators of these crimes end up escaping from being held accountable. These has made the crimes continue unabated. Educating these providers the value of client centered care and support is our very important step in ending and preventing GBV including FGM. HFAW conducted our first training in 2016 reaching over 50 health and law enforcement providers. The response from these group was very positive with requests for more trainings.