By Betty Luke
The fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Isiolo has received a major boost following the unveiling of a survivor’s network group aimed at amplifying their voices.
The network, made up of 40 FGM survivors from across the 10 wards, seeks to strengthen women subjected to the human rights violation to enable them protect other girls and women from the cut.
Anti-FGM board Chairperson Surum Ipato said there was need to embrace survivor led initiatives in eradication of the retrogressive cultural practices that violates women’s and girls’ rights.
National FGM Survivors Network leader Ms Mumina Jirmo lauded the initiative as an indication that their voices were vital and would greatly contribute in the eradication of FGM.
“There is nothing to be proud of as an FGM survivor but then, we appreciate that different actors recognize us and value our input in this fight. I urge all the survivors to speak up for the young girls and women at risk of the cut,” said Ms Jirmo.
She called on the survivors not to shy off from calling out perpetrators of the vice as that would greatly contribute in protecting those who are at risk.
Formation of the network was informed by a series of interventions by the the Girl Generation – An Africa-Led-Movement to end FGM that sought to ensure the mental wellness of FGM survivors in Kenya.
Ms Jirmo said through the TGG-ALM Survivor Leadership Training, she had gotten an opportunity to share her stories that consequently helped her heal from trauma.
“I never imagined that FGM had affected my mental health until TGG-ALM came on board and assisted my healing process. I need to heal before protecting other girls. I have since gained confidence and can share my story before people without getting emotional,” she noted.
The SLT involves numerous activities that help FGM survivors to come to terms with the experiences they had and also forgive those who subjected them to the vice.
TGG-ALM’s official Alice Ngari said the initiative would financially support FGM survivors to undertake locally led initiatives to end FGM.
She said they had been issuing different forms of grants to enable grassroots survivors attend national and global platforms to ensure their inclusion in the fight.
Speaking during the Tuesday’s launch of the network in Isiolo town, Ms Ipato revealed that the government was intentional on supporting survivor led initiatives to ensure the practice comes to an end especially in the hotspot counties across the country.
Her sentiments were echoed by the board CEO Ms Bernadette Loloju who said FGM survivors were best suited to eradicate the vice as they had first hand experiences on the dangers associated with FGM.
“A survivor fully understands the pain they went through and how it has affected their lives and therefore cannot allow anyone else to be subjected to such. They cannot allow anyone subject a girl to the kind of pain they experienced,” said Ms Loloju.
While urging men to join in the fight, the official reiterated the need to empower girls and women to enable them fight for what rightfully belongs to them.
“Empowering women is not equal to disempowering men. It only makes their work easier as they now have people to reinforce their efforts,” she added.
