MekunoProject

Today is the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Ge***al Mutilation (FGM). In a culture where FGM was widely accepted, Messania found the determination to challenge harmful norms and sing a new song of freedom for herself and other young girls everywhere. Watch the full award-winning film: bit.ly/messania

Mekuno Project is a proud supporter of World Vision's Kenya Big Dream to and because Please consider making a donation today to support this vital work - thank you!

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At least 200 million women and girls alive today have been subjected to , including 4 million in Kenya alone.
calls for increased collaboration with the government, non-state actors, communities, and elders to support Survivor-Led Movements and 🙌
Let’s unite to amplify Her Voice and end this harmful practice.

So thrilled to see our friend, Caroline Cheyech highlighted as one of the strategic partners for the Global Give Back Circle HER Lab! HER Lab is a crucial part of and in West Pokot Kenya. MekunoProject is a proud supporter of HER Lab and I hope you'll consider making a donation today!

Bet on these trailblazers to get to ZERO. We are! They are the forces ending FGM in Kenya through our transformational partnership with Mastercard Foundation , where at-risk girls get access to education, skills and brilliant careers by attending HER Lab.
Pricella Nangurai, Dr Josephine Kulea and Caroline Menach, are driving change in Kajiado, Samburu and West Pokot counties. On this International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM Global Give Back Circle stands with them to end FGM.

This International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, take a few minutes out of your day to watch this powerful short documentary of a woman in rural Kenya's incredible journey.
https://vimeo.com/646643045

World Vision's Award Winning Short Film: Messania's Story A childhood filled with laughter and friends, singing and games—cut short by the circumciser’s knife. In her early teens, Messania walked the same…

Traditions can change faster than you think. It takes about 5 years to gain trust and respect of elders, community leaders, and faith leaders, who play crucial roles as custodians of culture. Trust is the foundation for addressing the cultural norms of FGM. By working with communities to create holistic solutions, change is possible. https://www.mekunoproject.org/about-fgm-and-child-marriage


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKEYGNOmWbk

Three Causes of FGM: #2 Cultural Norms Traditions can change faster than you think. It takes about 5 years to gain trust and respect of elders, community leaders, and faith leaders, who play cruci...

When your family does not have enough to eat, you don’t see the value of an educated daughter. You see the immediate value of her bride price. The measures extreme poverty as making less than $1.90 a day. In communities where we work, households make half that. To address this root cause of , economic empowerment initiatives are crucial to raising families out of extreme poverty, eliminating the need for them to marry off their daughters early. https://www.mekunoproject.org/about-fgm-and-child-marriage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZnNHtYRz6A

Three Causes of FGM: #1 Extreme Poverty When your family does not have enough to eat, you don’t see the value of an educated daughter. You see the immediate value of her bride price. The World Bank...

Our CEO and Co-Founder Margo Day was interviewed about one of the two major initiatives Mekuno Project supports in fighting to eliminate and and empowering girls: the Kenya Big Dream Project. Check it out here: https://www.insidewink.com/2021/12/30/kenya-big-dream/

Kenya Big Dream The Kenya Big Dream works to end the culturally ingrained practice of female ge***al mutilation and child marriage - creating hope for youth

Happy New Year from Mekuno Project. Thank you for your support in 2021, and we look forward to connecting with you in 2022 by sharing even more inspiring stories, ways you can help, and more!

In 2019, one of our partners, World Vision, interviewed four young girls about their stories of escaping FGM and child marriage. Two years later, they sat down with three of the girls again. We invite you to see their incredible journeys here: https://www.mekunoproject.org/post/creating-tangible-hope World Vision USA

Creating Tangible Hope Watch the journeys of three incredible young women over a period of two years: where they came from, and what they hope for the future.

Make your gift meaningful this holiday season, and empower girls to dare to dream of better futures. Find out more here: https://www.mekunoproject.org/giftdonations

For more inspiring stories and to learn about the ways in which our work makes an impact, sign up for the Mekuno Project Newsletter at https://www.mekunoproject.org/contact

FGM happens for a variety of reasons, but if we can address the key issues of extreme poverty, lack of education, and cultural norms, we have the ability to end it within a generation.

As we close out against SGBV, we want to highlight the importance of recognizing as on International Human Rights Day. Everyone deserves fundamental rights. Everyone deserves equality.

It’s important to highlight successes during , and we are thrilled to highlight Caroline Menach, who was awarded as one of 220 heroes by President Kenyatta for her work as an ardent advocate of women and girls, and a champion against gender-based violence. Global Give Back Circle World Vision USA World Vision East Africa

Thank you so much to all of our donors and supporters. Thanks to you, we will be able to directly improve the lives of girls. We will keep you posted on the impact your donations have made, and appreciate your dedication to making girls’ futures better this year.

There’s still time to donate for ! Every little bit helps--$15 can ensure a girl does not have to miss out on her every month. Take this opportunity to invest in https://www.mekunoproject.org/givingtuesday

Today’s the day! We aim to raise $5,000 today to invest in girls’ futures. Your contributions can pay for dignity kits, alternative rites of passage, school fees, savings groups, & more! Make a difference this by donating now! https://www.mekunoproject.org/givingtuesday

Mark your calendars! Tomorrow is . Change a girl’s future by supporting programs that address the root causes of FGM and child marriage. Learn more about our Giving Tuesday campaign, including how your contribution can make a difference, by clicking the link in our bio.

We are thankful for our partners, , and the Strong Women, Strong World initiative for highlighting women doing amazing things, and how we can best support them! World Vision USA World Vision Strong Women Strong World

Thankful for our partner Margo Day, co-founder of the Mekuno Project. Because she chose to do something, girls in Kenya are finishing their education instead of undergoing female ge***al mutilation and becoming child brides. Marry When and Who She Chooses! Learn more at https://www.mekunoproject.org/

Eliminating and requires a comprehensive, holistic approach in order to effect sustainable change. By working with all levels of society, understanding the root issues, and addressing this challenge head-on, we can eliminate these forms of by #2030.

Tomorrow (November 25th) marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Globally, 1 in 3 women will experience violence in her lifetime. In Kenya, often those women are children. The aim to end all forms of gender-based violence, including FGM and child marriage, by #2030. It’s not a pipedream. We can do this. Together, it is possible.