The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is considerably high despite much effort by governments and other non-state actors. BMC Public Health, an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on all aspects of public health with a special focus on the social determinants of health, the environmental, behavioral, and occupational correlates of health and disease, and the impact of health policies, practices and interventions on the community, have aptly in their journal dated 4th July 2025 looked into the subject matter. BHC notes that Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a critical global public health challenge, with over 230 million affected women and girls, predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board, a semi-autonomous Kenya government agency is the main driver behind the actualization of the Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2011. The board notes that the FGM practice is complicated by the fact the act is now medicalized, defended from a religious perspective and change of tact to hide the activities.
Some technocrats have noted that the FGM trends and practice picks momentum during school holidays so that the girls can have ample time to heal before they resume their studies. It is also an effective way of ensuring that the girls are secluded and put away from the prowling eyes of ‘’snitches.’’
The change of tact, patterns and modalities of conducting FGM seems to throw many actors off balance. For instance, the cross border aspect of FGM whereby girls especially those leaving in communities which occupy border regions can cross to a lesser vigilant country, have the cut and be returned back once healed on during recovery.
One of the concepts, which has been effectively applied to reduce crime, is the principle of community involvement. The concept often reffered to as ‘’Winning hearts and minds” is a strategy of gaining the support and trust of a population through non-coercive means, such as persuasion, emotional connection, and addressing their needs, rather than relying solely on force. This approach and intellectual support may be the game changer in winning the war against FGM in Kenya.
Oliver Wendell Holmes noted that ….pretty much all the honest truth-telling there is in the world is done by children…. Is it therefore possible that law enforcement agencies and government administrators can benefit from the fact that Children’s inherent honesty and lack of fear as sources of inspiration to be open? The response is automatically yes. Children would want to tell the truth if put in a situation to share what they know.
The Kenya Anti-FGM Board, and other state and non-state actors can tap into this effective resource and utilize children as dependable allies and stakeholders. For instance, the Ministry of Education through Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) can design some modules for learners especially those in early grades on the early warning signs of FGM trends, tale-tell signs and how to effectively and safely report cases touching on FGM. I am confident that a situation of ‘’See it and Say it!’’ campaign would for sure make children vigilant and raise the alarm any time a threat is detected.
The same module through the inter-religious platforms like the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) and local inter-faith networks can also utilize their membership to equip children with the knowledge on how to effectively and safely raise the alarm.
Using children as potential whistle blowers must be guided by for instance, The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), a well-illustrated Prosecutor’s Guide to Children in the Criminal Justice System, which notes that children should not be compelled to participate but rather, be approached in a manner that encourages their participation. It further notes that the right to privacy guaranteed by the constitution, the national legal framework and international child rights instruments must ensure that the fundamental rights of children must always be upheld whether the child is in conflict with the law or in contact with the law as a victim or witness. All information shared by children in confidence should NEVER expose the child to stigmatization and danger.
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