Agnes explains her work at the new Safe House

In this short clip, Agnes Pareyio, Kenyan grassroots activist, educator, community leader, and founder of Tasaru Ntomonok Centre, explains how her work to end FGM has evolved. Agnes created a right-of-passage ceremony for girls in Kenya — an alternative to the 5,000-year-old practice of female genital mutilation (FGM, sometimes called female circumcision). At 14, Agnes was mutilated against her will. She said the pain of the genital amputation was horrific and that she will never forget the sting of urine. With the help of VDay (www.vday.org) Agnes built the first safe house for girls who run away to escape female genital mutilation. Through her tireless work amongst the Maasai in the rift valley, more families are now open to using an alternative rights of passage ceremony to help their girls come of age, and agree to let Agnes provide them with education instead of insisting on early marriage. With the construction of the second house in Sekutiak, built with support from a group of women in NYC who wanted to further Agnes' work, Agnes now makes a pact with families to spare their young girls from FGM and early marriage. Once parents agree, they girls can come to live in this village in the new "safe house" where the schools for primary and secondary education are but a stones throw from the house that is effectively a dorm. When asked why they need to live away from home, Agnes explains that is has to do with both the convenience of the location of the school, as well as ensuring the social pressure does not force parents to change their mind about their decision.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Agnes Pareyio
• FGM
• Safe House
• Kenya
• girls
• education

[kaasdewaal]

AWESOME WORK!! One day if I can I would love to help!!! Much love