Statement of the problem

The major shortcoming of the FGM eradication efforts in Samburu
is the silence that characterizes the grassroots efforts. The partners
involved in the campaign have not strongly and out rightly
condemned FGM since their efforts doesn’t involve publicly
denouncing the practice. The government administrators and other
leaders have also assumed a similar silent mode and are not taking
action against the rampant FGM cases all over the District.
As a result their efforts, apart from being uncoordinated have not
produced role models, or provided a safe haven for victims of
FGM. The FGM campaign have not also culminated into an open
forum which brings the whole community and enable them to
assume a collective responsibility of this practice and reflect on
how to deal with it.
FGM eradication efforts have been put in place and are actually
ongoing in Samburu for almost a decade now, since the early
1990s. However, more comprehensive anti – FGM activities and
programs started over the last five years.
A number of players from both the government and non
governmental organizations are carrying out the campaign in the
district. These include a source of local and national NGOs
supported by international organizations including the UN
agencies. Key among these organizations is the Maendeleo ya
wanawake organization, the Christian children’s fund, Samburu
Aid in Africa (SAIDIA), arid lands project, among others. The
ministry of health in the district is also a key stakeholder as the
government department that is charged with the responsibility to
formulate policy guidelines although it has had very little
contribution in terms of implementation of policy issues and
activities.
However, with the long list of actors in the anti – FGM campaign
in the district a more progressive outcome has not been achieved
over the years. In fact the numerous initiatives that were put in
place have interestingly not generated tangible results and
outcomes from its campaigns and programs that were implemented
for over a decade ago.