10th December 2024, Nairobi, Kenya – The European Union (EU) and the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, today announced the launch of a new partnership to accelerate efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya. The €4 million Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM SASA! programme is a three-year initiative funded by the European Union and designed to support Kenya’s efforts to eradicate FGM effectively.

The announcement by the EU and UNFPA comes as the world marks International Day of Human Rights and the end of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. FGM,  a severe form of gender-based violence (GBV,) stems from deeply rooted gender inequalities that violate the rights of women and girls and cause profound physical and psychological harm.

Despite significant progress, FGM remains a challenge in Kenya. While national prevalence among women aged 15-49 has declined from 32 percent in 2003 to 15 percent in 2022, certain regions still record alarmingly high rates exceeding 70 percent. Persistent challenges such as deep-seated cultural and religious beliefs and emerging trends such as medicalization and cross-border practices hinder eradication efforts.

With the EU’s generous support, the Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM SASA! programme aims to address these challenges through the engagement of frontline activists and civil society organizations while also collaborating with national and county institutions. 

European Union Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Henriette Geiger said, “By partnering with frontline activists in Kenya, communities will be actively engaged in delivering vital FGM prevention and response services and ensuring that survivors play a meaningful and active role in shaping and contributing to all efforts aimed at ending FGM.”

“Through this partnership with the EU, UNFPA reaffirms its commitment to realizing a Kenya where no girl or woman faces the trauma of FGM,” said Anders Thomsen, UNFPA Representative in Kenya. “This programme will prioritize the voices of women and girls, fostering an environment where their rights and aspirations take precedence over harmful practices.”

Globally, an estimated 4.4 million girls - or more than 12,000 each day - were identified as being at risk of female genital mutilation in 2024. The Stop FGM Now! – Komesha FGM SASA! programme will work to support FGM elimination efforts in seven hotspot counties with high rates of FGM. These include Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Tharaka Nithi.

For more information, please contact:

Irene Wangui-Communications Specialist, UNFPA

Email:  wangui@unfpa.org