An Alternative Rite of Passage to FGM/C

It’s a chilly Tuesday morning in Olgulului Village, Kajiado County, where the vast landscape stretches endlessly, dotted with acacia trees and sparse shrubs.

Amid this expanse, a group of about 460 girls makes their way to a nearby homestead before dawn. They are on a mission—to receive blessings from Maasai elders. Timing is critical; if they arrive late and the cattle have already left their sheds, it will be seen as a breach of tradition, warranting a fine.

An alternative that honours traditions

At the homestead, 10 Maasai elders gather to conduct the blessing. The girls squat down in preparation, and the elders, chanting in Maa, move among them, sprinkling milk and honey—symbols of purity and cultural continuity. This blessing is typically conducted on the morning of a bride’s wedding day, which would only happen after she went through the cut of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C).

But today, it is an acceptance of the alternative rite of passage the girls have gone through, replacing the harm of FGM/C, and reimagined to honour Maasai traditions.

Among the elders is Mzee Richard, a respected Maasai leader whose daughter, Brenda, is part of the ceremony. He reflects on the significance of the moment.

Progress, amid challenges

The blessings set the stage for the ARP graduation later that day at Olgulului Primary School. The 460 girls, aged 7 to 17, are graduating after completing a two-day training supported by Amref Health Africa through the ARP/WASH project. This training provides a culturally sensitive alternative to FGM/C, promoting education and empowerment.

Despite significant progress in reducing FGM/C in Kajiado County, challenges persist. Emerging issues include cross-border FGM/C practices, the medicalisation of the procedure, and a troubling trend toward lowering the age of cutting.

For these girls, however, the ceremony and training symbolise a hopeful step toward a future free from harmful practices, rooted in cultural pride and personal dignity.

Commitments at every level

The event brought together stakeholders, including Amref Health Africa, the Malaika Initiative, the Anti-FGM Board, FPFK, the Kajiado County Government, and community leaders. Gilbert Wangalwa, representing Amref, emphasised Amref’s 17-year commitment to fighting FGM/C in the region, attributing success to strong partnerships with the county government and the community.

Sabina Lakara, a Community Health student at Amref International University and an end-FGM/C advocate, shared her inspiring journey with the graduating girls.

The governor acknowledged the patriarchal nature of the community and the importance of male involvement. “Today, we stand united to say no to FGM,” he concluded.

The ARP Graduation was more than a celebration—it was a testament to change. As the girls celebrated their transition, the ceremony marked a collective stand by the community to protect its daughters and uphold their rights while honouring tradition in a safer, empowering way and dignity.