The Pastoralist Child Foundation (PCF) is a nonprofit organization focused on ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriages in the Samburu and Maasai Mara counties of Kenya. The organization’s initiatives include sexual and reproductive health workshops; economic empowerment training for women; sports programs; and community education. PCF is also involved in advocacy efforts, bringing together a range of stakeholders—including parents, social workers, and tribal leaders—to shift norms and attitudes which negatively impact girls. Since its founding in 2012, the organization has impacted more than 25,000 girls.
Adolescent girls in Samburu often face many challenges. The county has one of the highest rates of FGM in Kenya, and the practice is often considered a “rite of passage” among communities. 67 percent of girls between the ages of 13 and 19 have experienced FGM, and many are subsequently forced to marry after undergoing the procedure. 22 percent of girls in Samburu are married before reaching 18, limiting their futures and personal agency. PCF is committed to disrupting these trends, providing direct support to girls and engaging with community members.
The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund will support a project focused on education, mentorship, and leadership development. PCF will teach girls advocacy strategies and empower them with the tools they need to speak against harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage. Girls will learn from local Samburu facilitators, who will also serve as role models and trusted advisors to support the girls as they navigate adolescence. Additionally, girls will also learn critical life skills, and have access to sexual and reproductive health education.
PCF expects to reach 5,000 girls through its project. It will also host community dialogues in villages throughout Samburu County, reaching 3,000 community members. The project’s goals are to challenge traditions which threaten girls’ wellbeing and, ultimately, foster cultural shifts which enable girls to grow and thrive in safe, nurturing environments.
To learn more about the Pastoralist Child Foundation, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Africa, Child Marriage, Education, Gender-based Violence