Hi John,
At just 12 years old Mary underwent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
"I was taught that if a girl does not go through this ritual then she will not get married... My father married me off when I was 17 in return for cows." - Mary
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According to the UN, at least 200 million women and girls alive today have undergone FGM. In Kenya 21% of women aged 15-49 have undergone FGM but the practice is much more common amongst certain ethnic groups.
In the Massai communities in Kenya, where Mary is from, over 78% of girls have been cut.
Standing up to violence against women
However, things are changing. A friend took Mary to a workshop run by Womankind partner, FIDA Kenya, where she learnt the truth about FGM. And that crucially, laws are now in place to protect her rights.
We work in partnership with FIDA Kenya to strengthen community response to violence against women and girls and eliminate harmful traditional practices.
“FGM is still practised a lot by the Maasai people, but we are trying to change that from what we have learnt. Many people have changed their ways and will not practice FGM, even the older ladies who used to practice FGM have changed.” - Mary
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Mary is now an ambassador within her community, working to educate others on the myths and harms of FGM and child marriage, and ensure women and girls know that they have rights.
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At Womankind, we believe in the power of women to change their own lives. When women join together in movements, they change laws, challenge discrimination and make sure all women’s voices are heard.
Piyumi Samaraweera,
National Programme Development Manager
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