Kathwana:A two-day football tournament aimed at mobilizing communities against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) concluded on Sunday at Kajiampau Grounds in Kathwana, Tharaka-Nithi County. The event attracted a large number of young people from Igambang’ombe Constituency.
According to Kenya News Agency, the tournament was part of the Komesha FGM Sasa programme, which seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM and encourage young people to reject the practice. Linet Kawira, Chief Executive Officer of Tumaini Africa CBO, emphasized that the tournament provided a platform to bring young people together while educating them on the adverse effects of FGM.
Kawira highlighted that FGM prevalence in Tharaka-Nithi stands at 27%, with Igambang’ombe Constituency showing particularly high rates. She described FGM as an outdated practice that must be abandoned and urged parents and communities to prioritize education over harmful cultural practices.
Kawira noted that FGM is a criminal offense under Kenyan law and warned about its potential to lead to early marriages and school dropout. She pointed out the challenges in identifying girls at risk, as FGM is often performed secretly, and encouraged the public to report cases using the toll-free number 21094, starting messages with ‘HELP.’ This service can also report Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and other violence forms.
Waithera Malkia, another member of Tumaini Africa CBO, called on young people and communities to reject FGM, emphasizing the importance of investing in education to provide better opportunities for children and protect them from harmful practices.
Murithi Moses, a player from the Kabariange team, expressed gratitude to the organizations supporting the initiative, noting that the tournament has offered a valuable opportunity to educate and raise awareness about FGM’s dangers. Kathwana FC Coach Eric Mwenda reiterated the role of football in uniting young people and providing an effective platform for sensitization against harmful cultural practices.
The tournament was sponsored by Tumaini Africa CBO in collaboration with ActionAid International Kenya, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the European Union under the Komesha FGM Sasa programme.
