Garissa Office Launches Bura East Anti-FGM Steering Committee to Mark International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM

Garissa, Kenya – In a significant stride towards eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the Garissa office, in collaboration with ActionAid Kenya and local partners, has launched the Bura East Sub-County AntiFGM Steering Committee.

The initiative was unveiled during the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, a global observance dedicated to accelerating efforts to eliminate the harmful practice and protect the rights of girls and women.

Despite Kenya’s legal ban on FGM, the practice persists in several regions, particularly in pastoralist and border communities where deeply entrenched cultural beliefs continue to drive its prevalence. According to UNICEF, nearly 4 million girls and women in Kenya have undergone FGM, with Garissa County remaining a hotspot due to traditional and religious misconceptions.

Community-led dialogue forums, school sensitisation programmes, and alternative rites of passage are among the strategies being championed by the steering committee to shift perspectives and foster zero tolerance for FGM.

The Kenyan government has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating FGM through the National Policy for the Eradication of FGM (2019) and Vision 2030. However, enforcement challenges remain, particularly in remote areas where cross-border FGM is prevalent.

The establishment of the Anti-FGM Steering Committee in Bura East marks a strategic step towards fostering grassroots activism and policy implementation.

The committee will play a pivotal role in: Community Sensitisation – Raising awareness on the dangers of FGM and educating communities on legal frameworks, including the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011).

Survivor Support and Protection – Providing psychosocial support, rescue services, and safe spaces for girls at risk of FGM.

Law Enforcement and Accountability – Strengthening collaboration between local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders to ensure perpetrators face legal consequences.

The road to eliminating FGM is long and challenging, but initiatives like this bring the goal closer to reality. As the Bura East Sub-County AntiFGM Steering Committee embarks on this critical mission, the hope remains that one day, every girl in Kenya will grow up in a society that values her health, her rights, and her future.