By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 25 November 2025 – Kenya on Tuesday kicked off the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence with a landmark declaration by elders from Narok and Kajiado counties to abandon female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage.
The national launch, held at Suswa Girls Secondary School in Narok was presided over by First Lady Rachel Ruto.
The event also saw the rollout of the “My Dear Daughter” campaign aimed at encouraging families, especially mothers, to publicly commit to protecting their daughters from harmful practices.
"His excellency President William Ruto has sent me to convey this message that the safety and well being of our girls is not just the role of mother, but that of all Kenyans. It is a moral issue and a generational responsibility," she said.
Speaking at the event, Gender and Affirmative Action Principal Secretary Ann Wang’ombe described the elders’ declaration as a historic turning point in a region where FGM and child marriage have long persisted.
First Lady Rachel hailed the pledges as a catalyst for nationwide dialogue, stressing that mothers are the first line of defence for their children.
She pointed to a notable drop in national FGM prevalence between 2015 and 2022, which she attributed to sustained advocacy and education, but insisted that total eradication “is neither optional nor negotiable”.
“We choose our daughters and say: no more scars. Let our daughters grow up unhurt and uncut,” Mrs Ruto declared.
She urged fathers to champion their daughters’ aspirations and called on authorities to stay vigilant against all forms of violence targeting children.
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The 2025 campaign is running under the global theme “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls”, highlighting how online spaces have become new arenas for gender-based harm.
Organisers noted that one in three women worldwide experiences violence in her lifetime.
UN Women representatives present at the launch pressed for greater funding for prevention programmes, survivor support services, and better-coordinated national responses.
Despite progress, speakers acknowledged that FGM, child marriage, and teenage pregnancies remain deeply rooted in many communities, including Narok.
The event brought together government officials, UN Women delegates, community elders, civil society organisations, youth groups, and governors’ spouses from pastoralist counties.
This year’s activism coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, reinforcing global commitments to gender equality and the elimination of violence against women.
According to the recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UN partners, nearly one in three women worldwide – approximately 840 million – have experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner or non-partner at some point in their lives, a proportion that has remained virtually unchanged since 2000.
In the past 12 months alone, the report highlights that 316 million women aged 15 and above (11% of that age group) suffered physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner.
Progress in reducing intimate partner violence has been extremely slow, with an average annual decline of just 0.2% over the last two decades.
