Public Awareness Campaigns

Community Awareness for Lasting Impact

“A centuries-old painful and demoralizing practice can only be changed by looking to the future.”

Patrick Ngigi, Founder of Mission With A Vision

Mission With A Vision’s Anti–FGM/FCM Awareness Campaign addresses the urgent need to protect girls and women from harmful practices by providing shelter, food, community, and emotional support to those who flee. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Forced Child Marriage (FCM) remain widespread despite being illegal under Kenyan law, driven by deeply rooted cultural beliefs surrounding purity, marriageability, and social acceptance. Globally, over 230 million women and girls have undergone FGM, with millions more at risk each year. In the Maasai region of Kenya, prevalence remains high, reflecting the persistence of these practices across generations.

FGM is typically carried out on young girls without anesthesia, medical supervision, or sanitary conditions, resulting in severe and often lifelong physical and psychological harm. It is frequently followed by early or forced marriage, limiting access to education, economic independence, and personal autonomy, while reinforcing cycles of poverty and gender inequality.

To decrease and ultimately eliminate this centuries-old practice—deeply rooted in cultural traditions and still affecting a significant portion of Maasai families—Mission With A Vision focuses on changing the mindset of the next generation. While legislation has driven the practice underground, it has not eradicated it. Lasting change requires education, awareness, and community engagement that challenges long-standing norms and misconceptions.

In response, MWAV provides a safe haven for girls who choose to escape these practices, offering comprehensive support including medical care, education, vocational training, and shelter. To date, nearly 14,000 girls have benefited from these services, building pathways toward safety, independence, and dignity.

Recognizing that prevention begins with education, MWAV’s Public Awareness Campaign centers on reaching young people before harmful practices occur. Advocacy efforts aim to reach more than 300,000 students between the ages of 12 and 18, equipping girls with knowledge of their rights and empowering boys and young men to reject harmful expectations tied to FGM and FCM. In 2024 alone, MWAV reached over 6,500 students, with plans to significantly expand this impact through increased funding and program growth.

A core component of this strategy is the establishment of school-based advocacy clubs across Narok and Kajiado counties. These clubs provide safe spaces for weekly discussions, training sessions, and peer-led learning, addressing the risks and consequences of FGM and FCM while promoting gender equality and informed decision-making. By engaging both girls and boys, the program works to dismantle stigma, challenge harmful beliefs, and shift social norms for future generations.

Complementing this effort, adult literacy programs address high illiteracy rates in the region by providing basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills to community members. Delivered in partnership with local organizations and hosted in accessible community spaces such as churches and mosques, these classes also serve as platforms for dialogue—raising awareness about the importance of education and the dangers of FGM and FCM.

As MWAV continues its work, there is growing evidence of change. Community awareness is increasing, and many families are expressing a desire to abandon these practices. As one community leader noted, “A centuries-old painful and demoralizing practice can only be changed by looking to the future.” By engaging both youth and adults, MWAV is helping to create that future—one rooted in dignity, education, and choice.