Uploaded April 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a grave form of violence against girls. In Kuria, a community in Western Kenya, FGM is still a deeply rooted tradition often seen as a rite of passage for young girls, marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Girls who undergo the “cut” are considered marriageable, are a source of pride to their families and communities—and as a result, girls are forced into early marriage and denied an education. As a practice that is often passed down through generations, not undergoing FGM would mean that the girl is disowned by her community because they have rejected their heritage.
At only 11 years old, Christine courageously defied this practice. She sought refuge through Msichana Empowerment Kuria (MEK), an organization in the She’s the First Partner coalition that works to end violence against girls in rural and cross-border communities in Kenya. There, she found safety, continued her education, and received physical and emotional support.
She’s the First partners with grassroots organizations like Msichana Empowerment Kuria to help girls like Christine break free from harmful cultural practices and build the future they deserve.
Will you give today so that girls everywhere can access education and a future they aspire to have?
shesthefirst.org/15th
Videography: Barbara Minishi
Producer: Florence Sidi
Producer & Editor: Kate Lord
Sound: Diana Kairu
Music: Aleksey Chistilin/Artlist
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a grave form of violence against girls. In Kuria, a community in Western Kenya, FGM is still a deeply rooted tradition often seen as a rite of passage for young girls, marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Girls who undergo the “cut” are considered marriageable, are a source of pride to their families and communities—and as a result, girls are forced into early marriage and denied an education. As a practice that is often passed down through generations, not undergoing FGM would mean that the girl is disowned by her community because they have rejected their heritage.
At only 11 years old, Christine courageously defied this practice. She sought refuge through Msichana Empowerment Kuria (MEK), an organization in the She’s the First Partner coalition that works to end violence against girls in rural and cross-border communities in Kenya. There, she found safety, continued her education, and received physical and emotional support.
She’s the First partners with grassroots organizations like Msichana Empowerment Kuria to help girls like Christine break free from harmful cultural practices and build the future they deserve.
Will you give today so that girls everywhere can access education and a future they aspire to have?
shesthefirst.org/15th
Videography: Barbara Minishi
Producer: Florence Sidi
Producer & Editor: Kate Lord
Sound: Diana Kairu
Music: Aleksey Chistilin/Artlist
