- Kacheliba
- West Pokot County
- +254 733 204 086
- info@pwhr.or.ke
- MON – FRI: 8am – 5:30pm; SAT: 9am – 1pm
Our Fight Against FGM and Fistula – Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and obstetric fistula remain among the most devastating issues affecting women and girls in West Pokot.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and obstetric fistula remain among the most devastating issues affecting women and girls in West Pokot. Despite FGM being illegal in Kenya, it persists in remote communities due to cultural traditions, peer pressure, and lack of awareness about its lifelong consequences. Fistula, often resulting from prolonged obstructed labor in the absence of skilled birth attendants, leaves women incontinent, isolated, and stigmatized.
At Pokot Women’s Health Rights (PWHR), we have made the fight against FGM and fistula the centerpiece of our advocacy and healthcare work, recognizing their interlinked impacts on girls’ and women’s dignity, health, and future.
Our Core Interventions:
Alternatives to FGM:
We engage elders, parents, and girls to develop culturally acceptable Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) ceremonies. These ARPs celebrate girls’ transition to womanhood with education, blessings, and community recognition—without undergoing harmful cutting.
Community Dialogues and Campaigns:
We organize sustained dialogues with men, women, and youth in villages, schools, and churches, fostering open conversations about the dangers of FGM and the legal protections in place. We use drama, music, radio shows, and testimonies from FGM survivors to break the silence.
Fistula Treatment and Support:
Through partnerships with hospitals and volunteer surgeons, we identify women living with fistula, provide transportation, cover surgery costs, and offer pre- and post-operative care. Our team then supports survivors with psychosocial counseling, reintegration assistance, and small grants for economic activities to restore their confidence and independence.
Education and Empowerment:
We train girls and boys as anti-FGM champions in schools, teaching them about health, rights, and gender equality. At the same time, we provide women with vocational training, savings groups, and mentorship so they can gain economic independence and resist pressures that perpetuate FGM.
Legal Aid and Reporting:
PWHR collaborates with local authorities and police to protect at-risk girls and prosecute perpetrators. We also conduct training for local chiefs and community health volunteers on how to recognize signs of FGM and refer cases to relevant agencies.
Why This Fight Matters:
FGM and fistula rob girls and women of their health, rights, and dignity. They perpetuate cycles of poverty, gender inequality, and trauma across generations. By tackling these issues head-on, PWHR is breaking harmful traditions, transforming mindsets, and enabling women and girls to thrive.
At Pokot Women’s Health Rights (PWHR), we are committed to transforming the lives of women and girls in West Pokot County, Kenya.
At Pokot Women’s Health Rights (PWHR), we are committed to transforming the lives of women and girls in West Pokot County, Kenya. For over six years, we have worked tirelessly at the grassroots level to address the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. Our mission is to end harmful cultural practices, Empower Women and Girls, and provide access to vital social, economic, and health resources.
At Pokot Women’s Health Rights (PWHR), we are committed to transforming the lives of women and girls in West Pokot County, Kenya. For over six years, we have worked tirelessly at the grassroots level to address the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. Our mission is to end harmful cultural practices, empower women and girls, and provide access to vital social, economic, and health resources. Read More….
