Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

The fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in West Pokot County has received a big boost after the government of Finland and the Alale community, through World Vision Kenya constructed a multi-million first ever girls safe house at Kacheliba constituency.

Many young girls in the remote areas of the vast county have in the past became victims of retrogressive cultural practices including FGM and early forced marriages.

This had prompted many girls to escape from their homes and schools after undergoing the practice and even being forcefully married off by their parents who view them as a source of wealth.

The safe house for girls will ensure that those who are at risk of FGM remain in school.

World Vision Programs Manager in West Pokot County Tom Masinde said the dormitory was constructed at a cost of Sh5.1 million and will accommodate 42 bunk beds, with a capacity for more than 100 girls. It is also self-contained having in built bathroom and toilet facilities.

People Daily established that Alale ward which borders Uganda is more than 200 kilometres away from Kapenguria town and has been a hibernation site for FGM and early forced marriage perpetrators who also cross over to hide in the neighbouring country because of the porous border.

“The dormitory is a safe house where the girls will have their safety and can continue learning uninterrupted from harmful cultural practices like FGM and early marriages,” said Masinde.
He said the dormitory has two water storage tanks with a capacity of 10,000 and 5,000 litres.

Empower girls

In addition to saving girls and bringing them to school, Masinde said the organization will also train girls in life skills so that in a bid to empower them to make wise decisions.

“By training girls, they will be the trainers of other children. They will serve as role models to other kids and be able to influence girls not to undergo FGM or accept early marriages and instead attend school,” said the official.

According to Masinde, during the school holidays, the Board of Management (BOM) normally takes care of the children believed to be at risk of undergoing FGM and early marriages by hosting them in school.

The organisation has also supported the school with a posho mill to generate income and support the community adjacent to the school so that they do not have to walk long distances.

“Members of the community use the posho mill to grind their food at subsidised prices, and in the process, the school generates income for their activities,” said Masinde.

West Pokot Deputy Governor Robert Komolle who presided over the commissioning of the building with World Vision Finland Chief Executive Officer Annette Gothoni over the weekend said the newly constructed dormitory will help protect the girl from dropping out of school due to early marriages, pregnancies or FGM.