Transformative Norm Change: Amref’s Comprehensive Interventions to End FGM

Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM) refers to the alteration or injury of female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Globally, an estimated 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM, often before the age of 15. This violent act represents sexual and child abuse and perpetuates harmful patriarchal norms, inflicting severe physical and psychological damage. Despite recent progress, FGM persists, fueled by social norms and gender inequality aimed at controlling women’s sexuality.

These practices, including cross-village and cross-border cutting with risky procedures, risk reversing progress made. Urgent, targeted interventions are needed to protect girls and women. Addressing FGM requires community-driven efforts to change harmful norms and uphold girls’ rights. We must create a society where human rights and equality lead the way, empowering girls to live free from harmful traditions.

Two Paths to Change: TGG-ALM Programme & ARP-WASH Project

Two initiatives in Kenya—The Girl Generation – Support to Africa-Led Movement (TGG-ALM) Programme in Narok County and the ARP-WASH Project in Kajiado County—take different but complementary approaches to ending FGM. Both initiatives integrate a strong component of social change.

In Narok County, TGG-ALM drives social change through a community-focused model. We empower girls and engage boys, youth, elders, women, men, and local leaders to reshape community attitudes. We also use national and sub-national platforms for strategic advocacy and effective policy interventions. Our girl-centered programming enhances girls’ agency and builds a sustainable movement for change, ensuring a lasting impact within the community.

ARP-WASH in Kajiado County integrates sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) with water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to effectively address community needs and combat harmful practices like female genital mutilation (FGM). The Community-Led Alternative Rite of Passage (CLARP) replaces FGM with mentorship, SRHR education, and life skills training, thereby reducing FGM and improving girls’ access to education and healthcare.

From Cutter to Protector: Shinga’s Journey

Nalepo Shinga, a Maasai FGM practitioner, grew up in a family that revered the practice. Her mother, a respected cutter and birth attendant, inspired Shinga to follow in her footsteps, making her the most sought-after cutter in her village.

“I believed I was preparing girls for womanhood,” she says. “Parents trusted me, and my mother was proud.”

However, Shinga’s perspective changed as she witnessed the pain and trauma inflicted on girls. Despite her role as a birth attendant, she had never connected the complications of childbirth to FGM until she attended a sensitization forum led by Amref. There, health experts and reformed cutters highlighted the severe health risks associated with FGM, and Shinga realized the harm she was causing.

“I used to cut girls; now I protect them,” she says. “I can’t undo the past, but I will make sure no girl in my community goes through the same pain again.”

Both programs show that ending FGM is not about rejecting culture, but about transforming it—working within communities to create safer, more equitable traditions.

Breaking the Cycle from Within

To effectively address female genital mutilation (FGM), change must come from within communities. Programs like Amref’s Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP-WASH) and TGG-ALM have shown that local champions—such as girls, boys, survivors, women, elders, local leaders, and former cutters—can significantly reduce resistance to change. Reformed cutters exemplify this shift; once seen as keepers of tradition, they now advocate strongly against FGM and promote alternative rites to mark a girl’s transition to womanhood.

Girls and young women who challenge female genital mutilation (FGM) are changing their communities’ expectations. Through mentorship, storytelling, and peer education, they show that womanhood and respectability do not need to be linked to cutting. The impact of these personal narratives extends beyond statistics—they help shift mindsets in places where laws alone have been ineffective.

The Social Factors Behind FGM

FGM continues as a result of social factors like limited education, economic opportunity, and entrenched gender norms. In regions with poor access to education, girls are more likely to face cutting and early marriage, perpetuating cycles of poverty and disempowerment. Economic dependence also sustains the practice, as cutters rely on it for their income. To effectively combat FGM, we must invest in education, create economic alternatives, and implement policies that empower women and girls to make informed choices about their bodies.

Strategic Advocacy: Amref’s Role in Anti-FGM Policy Advocacy in Narok and Kajiado Counties

To effectively eradicate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Amref is implementing a targeted approach that includes strong county-level policy advocacy and resource allocation in Narok and Kajiado Counties.

In Narok County, TGG-ALM has successfully influenced FGM policy, demonstrating effective strategies for broader application. Amref helped the Gender Technical Working Group create a costed implementation matrix for the Anti-FGM policy, securing vital funding for programs focused on eradication. This ensures ongoing efforts and holds the government accountable.

Lessons for the future: 

1. Community-Centric Approach: Sustainable change demands local leadership and ownership. End FGM programs must engage communities, build trust, and collaborate with those they serve.
2. Multi-Faceted Interventions: FGM is complex. Legal measures are not enough; programs must incorporate education, economic empowerment, health, and legal frameworks to tackle root causes.
3. Empowering Girls and Women: Girls are key change agents. Programs should prioritize their participation and leadership by providing education, resources, and safe spaces.
4. Respectful Dialogue and Patience: Changing harmful norms requires patience and respect. Build trust and open communication through collaborative community efforts.
5. Engage All Stakeholders: Ending FGM necessitates the involvement of all community members. Programs must foster alliances and ensure everyone plays a role in the change.
6. Strong Policy and Advocacy: Robust legal frameworks are essential. Advocacy is critical for resource allocation and government accountability.
7. Personal Transformation Matters: Individual change drives progress. Support and amplify the voices of survivors and advocates.
8. Sustainability Through Integration: Incorporating FGM initiatives into existing health and development programs ensures lasting impact.
9. Data-Driven Approaches: Effective programs rely on data. Ongoing research is vital for informed decision-making.
10. Financial Commitment is Essential: Consistent funding is crucial for eradicating FGM. Advocate for efficient resource allocation.