NAROK, KENYA – In a move hailed as a historic turning point for girls' rights, Maasai elders from Narok and Kajiado counties publicly declared an end to the deeply entrenched practices of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. The declaration was made at Suswa Girls’ Secondary School in Narok County, coinciding with the national launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

The announcement, witnessed by First Lady Rachel Ruto, government officials, and civil society partners, signals a significant, community-led shift in a region where these practices have long persisted. The elders pledged to spearhead intergenerational dialogues to foster community accountability and champion supportive legal and cultural reforms. “No more FGM and child marriage. Not in our time. Not to our daughters,” the elders proclaimed at the event.

A Critical Juncture for Kenya

The declaration is particularly significant given the high prevalence of FGM among the Maasai community. According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 data, FGM prevalence among the Maasai was 53%, a notable decrease from 78% in 2014 but still substantially higher than the national average. The national prevalence of FGM for women aged 15-49 has seen a steady decline, from 38% in 1998 to 15% in 2022. However, the practice remains concentrated in several communities, with UNICEF Kenya identifying the Maasai, Somali, Samburu, and Kisii as having the highest rates.

Child marriage is often intertwined with FGM, viewed in some cultures as a prerequisite for marriage. Nationally, 23% of Kenyan girls are married before the age of 18, with 4% married before 15. These practices are recognized as fundamental violations of girls' rights, curtailing their education and exposing them to severe health risks and domestic violence. A study in Narok and Kajiado found that the secondary school transition rate for girls can drop from 40% in Form 1 to as low as 10% by Form 4, partly due to the impacts of FGM/C.

National Campaign and Legal Framework

The event also marked the launch of the First Lady’s “My Dear Daughter Campaign,” a survivor- and mother-led movement aimed at ending FGM and protecting girls' rights, particularly within pastoralist communities. “The eradication of FGM is not optional. It is not negotiable,” Mrs. Ruto stated, emphasizing that the practice is a violation, not a cultural rite of passage. She framed the elders' declaration as a crucial instance of a community taking ownership of change.

This community-led initiative is bolstered by a strong legal framework. The Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2011 criminalizes performing, procuring, or aiding FGM, and also penalizes the use of premises for the act and failure to report offenses. The government has also established the Anti-FGM Board to coordinate eradication efforts. Despite these laws, enforcement remains a challenge, with the practice often driven underground or medicalized.

Lessons from Other Communities

The Maasai elders follow in the footsteps of leaders from the Samburu, Pokot, and Sabaot communities, who have made similar public declarations. In March 2021, Samburu elders made the “Kisima Declaration” to abandon FGM and child marriage, a move that included lifting a cultural curse on uncut girls to foster social acceptance. These precedents demonstrate a growing national movement where cultural custodians are becoming the primary agents of change.

Civil society organizations like Amref Health Africa have been instrumental in this shift, pioneering community-led Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) programs. These initiatives retain cultural celebrations of womanhood while replacing the harmful cut with education on sexual and reproductive health, human rights, and the value of girls' education. Since 2009, these programs have enabled thousands of girls in Kenya and Tanzania to transition to womanhood without undergoing FGM.

The Path Forward

While the declaration is a monumental step, stakeholders acknowledge that sustained effort is required. The deep-rooted social norms, poverty, and lack of education that drive these practices must be continually addressed. The success of this declaration will depend on the commitment of the elders to translate their words into action through the proposed community dialogues and their support for girls who choose education over early marriage.

The launch of the 16 Days of Activism, which runs from November 25 to December 10 (Human Rights Day), provides a period of intensified focus on eliminating all forms of gender-based violence. For the girls of Narok and Kajiado, the elders' pledge, combined with national support, offers a renewed promise of a future free from harm, where their dignity is protected and their dreams are valid.