Komesha FGM Sasa

The Komesha FGM Sasa! Programme, implemented by Echo Network Africa Foundation in partnership with UNFPA and under the broader EU-Stop FGM Now programme, is a comprehensive initiative designed to accelerate the total abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage in Kenya. Operating across West Pokot, Isiolo, and Tharaka Nithi counties, the programme addresses the complex web of cultural, social, and economic factors sustaining these harmful practices. Implementation is driven by dedicated county project assistants and programme officers backed by robust institutional coordination.

Strategic Focus Areas

Shifting Social and Gender Norms: The UNFPA and EU-supported programme engages men, boys, elders, traditional authorities, and religious institutions such as the Interreligious Council of Kenya (IRCK) and SUPKEM to foster collective responsibility and promote positive masculinities through structured community dialogues.
Community-Led Monitoring and Public Declarations: Local communities drive sustainable change by making formal public commitments to abandon FGM, supported by frontline activists, anti-FGM steering committees, and county field teams via awareness initiatives like the Born Perfect Caravans.
Amplifying Anti-FGM Messaging: Echo Network Africa Foundation leverages multi-channel media strategies including vernacular radio broadcasts, television talk shows, public service announcements, and targeted social media campaigns featuring expert insights, survivor testimonies, and male champions.
Holistic Survivor and Protection Services: The initiative ensures that women and girls at risk or affected by FGM have unhindered access to essential medical care, psychosocial counseling, and legal aid services, significantly improving institutional quality of care and protection standards across target regions.