By Collins Wanzallah
World Vision has launched a new initiative in Kuria Sub County, Migori County, aimed at combating female genital mutilation (FGM) by distributing goats to women and girls. The program, spearheaded by cluster manager Mr Zadrack Yator, focuses on promoting dairy goat farming as a viable alternative to support girls and empower the community.
Mr. Yator explained that the initiative’s primary goal is to offer an alternative economic solution that helps shift the community’s focus away from harmful practices like FGM and early marriages. By encouraging dairy goat farming, the program provides sustainable livelihood options that can improve economic stability and enhance child nutrition.
“This initiative is about creating a new economic pathway,” Yator said. “By focusing on income generation through livestock farming, we aim to reduce the community’s reliance on traditional practices and encourage investment in education and health.”
The program emphasizes the benefits of dairy farming, such as milk and meat production, which can boost household income and overall economic stability. Yator noted that this approach helps reduce the pressure to engage in harmful practices by improving the community’s financial situation and offering a constructive alternative.
“Economic income has strong ties to the prevalence of FGM within the Kuria community, and we are addressing this issue directly,” Yator added.
Supporting Yator’s sentiments, Lucas Mosenda, the Agriculture and Livestock CEC of Migori County, praised World Vision’s efforts. He highlighted that the practice of FGM is often linked to marrying off girls at a young age for financial gain, a practice that persists in the community.
Mosenda stated, “The community’s focus on FGM is driven by the desire to gain wealth through early marriages. By providing economic alternatives like dairy farming, we can address this issue and help end FGM.”
Two beneficiaries of the program, Mwita Matiko and Polyne Ghati expressed their gratitude for their support and commitment to becoming role models in their community. They pledged to advocate against FGM and promote the benefits of dairy farming.
Kuria, Somali, and Maasai communities are among those in Kenya where female circumcision is still practised. This initiative by World Vision represents a significant step towards eliminating FGM by addressing its economic roots and promoting sustainable alternatives.
