The Hidden Dynamics of FGM: Lessons from Pokot

I have spent the past ten years on the frontlines advocating against female genital mutilation (FGM) in my community of Pokot. Over time, I have learned that acknowledging successes and challenges is the only way forward. While national data tells one story, the reality on the ground is far more complex, layered, and heartbreaking.

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), FGM prevalence has dropped dramatically at the national level, from 21% in 2014, and most recently to 15% in 2022. On paper, this looks like victory. But in practice, the story is not so simple.

The Forgotten Margins

FGM persists in the most remote, underserved, and inaccessible parts of Kenya. These are places where roads barely exist, services are rare, and information trickles in slowly, if at all. In such environments, harmful practices like FGM and child marriage thrive, not just because of “culture,” but because of overlapping marginalization: poverty, remoteness, poor infrastructure, lack of education, and limited government presence.

During COVID-19, for example, we witnessed a resurgence of mass cutting in many practicing communities across Kenya. In West Pokot and Kuria, December holidays,long known as to be the peak cutting season, saw alarming spikes in FGM. Even in 2024, while collecting FGM research data,https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/exploring-the-persistence-of-fgm-in-west-pokot-county-kenya I was shocked to learn of girls being cut in numbers openly. More recently in villages I had assumed they had abandoned the practice of FGM, i heard that the practiced had found its way back. It felt as if years of effort had only managed to delay the practice, not stop it.

Progress and Frustration

I will not deny that progress has been made. Many girls are in school today because of interventions by activists, government agencies, and partners. I have personally witnessed lives transformed. But I must also admit that our efforts remain limited.

Stopping FGM is not like flipping a switch. Every time we save a girl, another is born into the same risks. Families are struggling with poverty, climate change is disrupting livelihoods, education remains expensive, and communities continue to face multiple forms of exclusion. Under such pressure, harmful traditions too often find new ground to flourish.

Why a Single Solution Won’t Work

From my years of experience and research, one thing is clear: there is no single solution to ending FGM. Any approach that assumes otherwise will only delay the practice, not eliminate it.

Communities are not homogenous. Even within Pokot, the realities differ. Pastoralist families in the dry savannah, often nomadic and less educated, practice FGM and child marriage at very high rates. In the hilly highland areas, families may have some access to schools, but poor road networks, limited exposure, and low-quality education still leave girls vulnerable. In both cases, structural inequalities, not just “culture”determine the fate of girls.

What Must Change

To end FGM sustainably, we must confront these structural barriers. Here are three pillars I believe are essential:

Government Leadership
The government must treat FGM as a national threat to growth and development, not just a women’s issue. Laws exist, but enforcement is weak. Roads, health services, schools, and protection systems must reach last-mile communities. Without the government taking the frontline role, progress will always be fragile.
Quality Education
Education is not just an “alternative” to FGM, it is the game changer. It breaks cycles of poverty and harmful traditions, opening up opportunities and new ways of thinking. But education must be of quality. Rural schools need trained teachers, better exposure, and resources to keep children especially girls in school until completion.
Economic Empowerment
Poverty is one of the strongest drivers of FGM and child marriage. Families often see girls as economic assets, and cutting becomes tied to survival. Large-scale efforts to empower families economically through livelihoods, climate resilience, and equal opportunities are essential.

The Role of CSOs and Local Leaders

Civil society organizations and NGOs must work in collaboration with communities, not above them. The most sustainable campaigns are those led by local groups who understand their context. These groups need resources, trust, and space to lead the movement from the ground up.

A Final Reflection

Sometimes, I feel like what we are doing is playing hide and seek, catching some, missing others. But even then, every girl saved matters. Every delay creates space for another chance. Still, if we want to move from delay to true elimination, we must address the deeper dynamics of marginalization, poverty, and exclusion.

Ending FGM will not happen overnight, but it is possible. It will take government commitment, quality education, economic empowerment, and community-led action. Only then will we stop playing hide and seek and finally win the fight.

Domtila Chesang

Domtila Chesang HSC is a grassroots advocate, researcher, and Co-Founder of the African Women Rights Advocates (AWRA). Born in West Pokot, Kenya, she is a leading voice in the fight against FGM and child marriage. Through AWRA and the I_Rep Foundation, Domtila empowers Grassroot Activism, promotes healing-centered approaches, and champions gender equality across Africa. Her leadership and storytelling continue to inspire transformative change for women and girls at the grassroots and beyond.