Parents’ schools: ways out of FGM

Parent’s schools in Mosocho, Kenya, are saving innocent girls from genital mutilation by transmitting knowledge, which in turn initiates a process of change in the families’ consciousness and behavior. They are a part of the Fulda-Mosocho project, which has been developed and practiced since 2002 hand in hand with the Kenyans, showing ways out of the tradition of female genital mutilation. This was made possible thanks to our Value-Centered Approach, which makes constructive, respectful interaction the basis of our joint work. It helps us to reach young parents, so that their daughters aged between 0 and 4 years can grow up without trauma and in a respectful atmosphere.

Despite the legal ban, girls from the Kisii ethnic group in Kenya are still undergoing female genital mutilation, in order to be considered full members of the community. At the beginning of our work in the region Mosocho 97.8% of girls were affected by this practice; now the numbers are below 30%. We were able to protect more than 16,000 girls from this fate in a lasting way, a fate that is still threatening hundreds of others.

The seminars at a total of 14 parents’ schools in the Fulda-Mosocho project are designed to empower parents’ individual decision for the physical integrity of their own daughters. To do so, the physical and psychological effects of female genital mutilation are discussed together with the Kenyan parents, and strategies to overcome the FGM practice are developed. General knowledge on sexuality and reproduction, family planning and AIDS prevention is also transmitted.
Hundreds of Kenyan people have registered for the actual seminars. In order to meet the demand, we need funds for the provision of materials, transport and meals in the parents’ schools.

We are grateful for any support you can give us!

For more information, see www.fulda-mosocho-project.com Read more