Maa Girls Gives Hope To Teenage Mothers And FGM Survivors

Maa Girls Gives Hope To Teenage Mothers And FGM SurvivorsIn Narok County, a group of Maa girls is traveling around the area to provide guidance and counseling to teenage mothers and survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).The “Iselenken-e-Maa,” or Maasai girls,“ movement is active in schools and churches, giving hope to girls who might have been discouraged by the retrogressive cultural rites they have undergone.Ms. Charity Memusi, Chairlady of the group, stated that the move was prompted by the County’s high rate of pregnancy and school drop-out, as the pregnancy rate was over 40%.“The group was started in Trans Mara West Sub-county but has already reached out to hundreds of girls in Narok East and North Sub-counties. We are hoping to move around the whole County,” said Ms. Charity.She reiterated that they collaborate with the Free Medical Care team to provide pregnancy tests, antenatal and post-natal care, and other services to the girls.“There are many girls who are already pregnant but they do not know. When the results appears positive, we offer guidance and counseling and incase it turns out negative, we encourage them to avoid sex,” he said, adding that the services are offered on a voluntary basis.ALSO READ:The organization also obtains sanitary towels from well-wishers such as traders, prominent farmers, and leaders. During the counseling sessions, the towels are distributed to the girls.“We believe in our girls, we know they can become prominent people if they are encouraged to finish their education. Many drop out of school and prefer early marriages because they have given up in life,” said Memusi.According to data from the County Department of Health, Narok leads in teen pregnancies, with over 5,000 girls reported to have been impregnated in 2021.Maa Girls Gives Hope To Teenage Mothers And FGM Survivors

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