A Quiet Revolution

This story contains descriptions of female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriage, and gender-based violence (GBV), which may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised.

Written by Abel Gichuru, Communications Officer for Action Against Hunger Kenya

In West Pokot County, Kenya, a quiet revolution is unfolding. For generations, deeply entrenched cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), early marriages, and gender-based violence (GBV) have cast a long shadow over the lives of countless girls and women. But now, thanks to the tireless efforts of Action Against Hunger and the support of Global Affairs Canada (GAC), a new dawn is breaking—one where girls like Cheruto can dream of a future free from harm and full of promise.

Cheruto, a bright-eyed eighth-grade student, had always been determined to excel in school. She dreamed of becoming a teacher, a beacon of knowledge in her community. But as she grew older, the pressure to conform to tradition began to weigh heavily on her. Her peers whispered in her ear, telling her that undergoing FGM would bring her family a high dowry and earn her respect in the community. Despite her mother’s disapproval of FGM, Cheruto felt trapped between her dreams and the expectations of her culture.

When schools closed for the holidays, Cheruto made a fateful decision. Alongside three friends, she saved 500 Kenyan shillings, bought a razor blade, and sought out a traditional mutilator. They told their families they were fetching firewood, but then proceeded to the forest where they had been tipped off about a mutilator’s location. The procedure was quick but painful, and the girls hid in the forest until nightfall, shivering in the cold. Desperate for warmth and food, they sought refuge in an unfinished house belonging to one of the girls’ brothers. They managed to procure food with the help of a friend, whom they asked to keep their secret. However, at around 3am the following morning, the police stormed the house, arresting the girls and detaining them for two days before rushing them to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

Cheruto’s story is not unique. In West Pokot, FGM is a rite of passage that often leads to early marriages, cutting short the education and potential of countless girls. Many parents, lured by the promise of dowries, encourage these practices, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality. But Action Against Hunger, in partnership with West Pokot County’s Child Safety Department, is determined to break this cycle.

With funding from Global Affairs Canada, Action Against Hunger has launched a multifaceted initiative to combat GBV, early marriages, and FGM. At the heart of this effort is the involvement of male champions—men who are respected in their communities and who are now using their influence to challenge harmful traditions. These champions are educated on the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of FGM and early marriages, and they, in turn, spread this knowledge among their peers.

“I used to think FGM was a necessary tradition,” says Samuel Lwapanyang, a male champion from  Masol in West Pokot. “But after witnessing the harm it brought on my own daughter, I realized we were robbing our girls of their futures. Now, I speak to other men in my community, urging  them to protect their daughters and let them stay in school.”

Action Against Hunger has also strengthened the capacity of local authorities, including chiefs, elders, and police officers, to address child protection and gender issues. Training sessions and workshops have equipped these stakeholders with the tools to identify and escalate cases of GBV and FGM, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable.

“Through Action Against Hunger’s support, I have the resources to organize male champions’ meetings and coordinate the sensitization of the community on FGM, GBV and early marriage issues,” says Samuel Nakori, assistant chief of Masol Location in West Pokot.

Community sensitization campaigns have been another cornerstone of the initiative. Through partnerships with county leadership and other development partners, Action Against Hunger has sponsored events such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. These platforms have become powerful spaces for dialogue, where community members learn about the dangers of FGM, early marriages, and GBV. Stories like Cheruto’s are shared, not to shame but to educate and inspire change.

The impact of these efforts is beginning to show. Local authorities report a decline in cases of FGM and early marriages, and more girls are staying in school. Cheruto, now recovering from her ordeal, has become an advocate for change in her community.

“I want other girls to know that they don’t have to go through what I did,” Cheruto says. “Education is our future, and no tradition should take that away from us.”

While the road to eradicating these harmful practices is long, Action Against Hunger’s work in West Pokot is a testament to the power of collaboration, education, and community engagement. With the support of Global Affairs Canada and the dedication of local stakeholders, the organization is paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for the girls and women of West Pokot. The journey is far from over, but every step forward brings hope and possibility to a community in transition.

To protect the identities of the primary individuals featured, the faces of the girls in the photos have been hidden, and pseudonyms have been used instead of their actual names.