Marsabit First Lady commits to ending FGM and early marriages

Marsabit County First Lady Alamitu Guyo Jattani has launched an initiative that seeks to ensure an end to female genital mutilation and early marriages.

Dubbed Gaddis Gamme the initiative helps girls acquire life skills to navigate the transition to adolescence, overcome negative peer pressure, avoid risky social behaviour, change negative attitudes towards education, deal with FGM and manage menstruation.

The girls are sensitised to contentious matters that directly touch on their lives including FGM, early marriages, child rights, life skills and health rights.

Speaking on Friday at Obbu girls school during the closure of the four-day girl's camp, Marsabit county first lady Alamitu Guyo Jattani said the initiative was bearing fruit, with many girls benefitting.

"We are keen on ensuring girls access education. We thanked the community elders for committing to end FGM and early marriages," she said.

She said girls in all the 20 wards within the county have been sensitised to the dangers of FGM and early marriages.

"Many girls drop out of school and get married at an early age. Many have a hard life because of the vices. We want our children to embrace education. Every child has a right to education and a good life," said the first lady.

Alamitu said retrogressive practices have had extreme effects on the girls and have to be fought at all costs.

" We have empowered our girls through Gaddis Gamme's programme to escape the cycle of poverty and motivated them to give back to society. The opportunity will help them to prepare for their future," She said

She urged parents to focus on child protection, their education and health.

"Parents have to constantly talk to their children to ensure that they don't fall into negative peer pressure," said Alamitu

While appreciating the partners for their continuous support, the county first lady called on them to strengthen the capacity of families and institutions to nurture and protect children from all forms of violence.

"We should embrace cultural values that are beneficial and those that promote cohesion." She said

"We are appealing to the girls to be focused on their education and make sure that they create opportunities for their future." 

County Secretary Hussein Tari warned those practising FGM, saying the government has already banned the practice.

He urged the community to empower girls for a brighter future and asked the county first lady to continue empowering girls.

Former nominated MCA Safo Waqo Dulacha said that most discrimination and violence perpetrated against women and girls are carried out under the guise of culture and tradition.

"Pressing for gender equality means we must begin to abolish some of the practices that continue to subjugate women and prevent them from achieving their full potential. We must continue to recognize the important roles that women play for the development of society," she said.

She called upon residents to actively fight against the violation of children's rights and stand up against FGM and early marriages.

Community elder Galm Dabaso said Gummi Gayo's declaration on FGM shows that the community accepted girls and women who had not undergone FGM. He that the potential of getting married would not be linked to having undergone the cut.

He said FGM has over the years had negative effects including early pregnancies, school dropouts among girls, early marriages and numerous birth complications.

Fatuma Guyo commended the efforts of the First Lady saying the community must shun FGM and early marriages.

The closure of the 7th edition of Gaddis Gamme's programme marks a significant milestone in the fight against FGM and early marriages in the county.

Since the inception of the programme in 2018, more than 1600 girls across the county have been empowered.