Empowered youth play a critical role in advancing the rights of women and girls within their communities thus the need to enhance their capacity to raise their voice against issues affecting women and girls as well as transform their communities and protect their sisters. On September 30th Men End FGM Foundation convened its maiden university campaign dubbed Cam pus Dialogues at the University of Embu.
We engaged students from the University of Embu to raise awareness on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), particularly female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health issues, and drug and substance abuse as part of the #TubongeNaComrades campaign, in collaboration with the Kenya Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board, the University of Embu, and other like-minded partners.
Young people in campus are role models for their peers in the villages. Therefore, it is crucial to provide them with information about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), particularly female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), mental health issues, and drug and substance abuse. The target group, who are university students, play a key role in advocating against SGBV in their respective communities, hence the need to be equipped with the right knowledge to address myths and misconceptions related to the practice. This knowledge will be helpful in ensuring that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5, are achieved by 2030
“The youth are tomorrow’s parents, engaging them and educating them about the impact of FGM is key to ending the practice and protecting the next generation,” said Anti-FGM Board Chief Executive Officer Bernadette Loloju.
Participants were encouraged to raise their voices to influence and spur constructive conversations around female genital mutilation (FGM), sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR), drug and substance abuse, and mental health issues in their families, peers, and communities.
The Men End FGM Foundation is ecstatic about how rapidly this campaign has gotten off the ground and the large number of young people speaking up and getting involved. Don’t miss this campaign as it has gained momentum and is not slowing down. We will engage comrades in all of the 47 counties.
Let’s all join hands in the #TubongeNaComrades campaign and help young people as they become anti-FGM advocates and champions for equality. Together we can make the world a safer place for women and girls. Change is inevitable, be part of that change today!