Kenyan Scouts working to end female genital mutilation 

Scouts are committed to a better, more gender equal world, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and grow in a safe environment. This includes a goal of eradicating the harmful and discriminatory practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) by 2030.

For 10 years, Kenyan Scouts led by Pauline Kagiri have been educating girls about body autonomy and reproductive and sexual health.

Pauline’s project is part of the Messengers of Peace initiative and has provided training to over 200 girls from different institutions, rescue centers and communities, which has empowered them with knowledge and confidence to help them cope with FGM and be community leaders in ending this practice. The impact continues to grow, as this initiative inspires more and more youth-led community development projects, and partnerships with youth groups and other organisations.

According to the World Health Organization, FGM, also known as female circumcision or cutting, is a procedure where external female genitalia are partially or completely cut or injured, without medical reason. In communities where it is practiced, there is a misguided belief that those who do not undergo mutilation are outcasts and are not fully women. 

The mutilation procedure is sometimes carried out on girls between the ages of infancy to 15 years. Girls and young women who undergo FGM face serious mental and physical distress, with particular health complications when giving birth later in life.

To combat misinformation and harmful practices that arise from them, Pauline’s initiative is centred on community awareness and sensitization. Besides FGM, the project also educates girls on other sexual and reproductive health topics, like child marriage and menstruation.

For example, project leaders:

  • Welcome girls for one-on-one talks where they can share their experiences
  • Engage in school visits and fact finding missions
  • Teach girls about menstrual health and hygiene, and donate sanitary napkins, undergarments and stationary to schools
  • Empower girls through gender equality education 
  • Host regular Scouting activities to help increase girls’ life skills, confidence and sense of belonging

Most activities are carried out as open doors sessions, where girls can feel free from restrictions and judgment often experienced in classrooms.

World Scouting is proud to see Scouts taking action to address some of the most difficult situations in their communities. If you have a project idea, speak with your Scout Leader or National Scout Organization (NSO) to learn how they can support you in making it a reality.

Are you already working on a project to improve your community? Share it with us and be part of the world’s largest youth contribution to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)! #Scouts4SDGs

Want to learn how to build a more gender equal world? Take our Gender Equality eLearning.

Ready to help others learn about gender equality? Download the He For She Action Kit today!

Want to show your support and commitment to act for gender equality? Take the #HeForShe pledge.

 

Pauline has been a longtime champion for Messengers of Peace in Kenya. In 2017, she was recognised with a Messengers of Peace Hero Award for her successful community improvement initiatives. Learn more about her in the video below!