WEZESHA WASICHANA (enable girls) CHAPTER (Maa translation, Naidimie Ntonyie Oloibortoto)

In a recent activity held earlier, on the International Day of zero tolerance on FGM, Otto Benecker foundation together with its collaborating partners (Ray of Care, Imarisha Kenya and Osiligi health center visited Nguruman, in Kajiado to raise awareness on the effects of FGM during the February 6^th 2021 celebrations. The event happened at Oloibartoto Location, at Kenya Evangelicah Lutheran Church. The next visit scheduled for July 16th-17th aims at following up on the resolutions that were past by the local leaders and partners.

The main problem among teen girls was FGM, currently practiced openly in Kenya and across the border in Tanzania.

Among key highlights in the next meeting will be:

·         Find solutions to SRHR/MH and FGM challenges:

1.       Train both boy and girl child so that they can be on the same level of understanding issues
2.       Community members to collaborate and utilize local resources to solve some key challenges.
3.       Find alternatives to girls' challenges as lack of school fees, GBV at home and discrimination     that could be challenged through community dialogues.
4.       Organize exchange programs where teenage girls meet other girls and learn from each other.
5.      A follow up on what girls vowed:
6.      Wezesha wasichana Oloibortoto chapter was formed to support girls in safe   spaces, champion end to FGM in Nguruman and community leaders would start   community dialogues to address various challenges.

Some of the teen girls at Oloibortoto, Nguruman village, 2021

 As we celebrate the Day of African Child every 16th June; this year 2021, the theme was “30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”. Otto Benecker Foundation throough the adolescent girl's power project focused on empowering the children with rights knowledge, sexual reproductive health, leader and advocacy and business development skills, as assets that will enhance child safety. The adolescent girl will be able to understand her agency and safe spaces. 

In the recent photo, 17th June 2021, young adolescent mothers in Mathare, Nairobi County found a safe space to share their experiences and encourage each other.