Community Dialogues
Holding community dialogues with targeted women and men on the harmful effects of FGM on their children. These men and women are fathers and mothers of girls who are vulnerable and can easily be cut.
We provide mentorship, education, and opportunities for young girls and women to thrive and lead change in their communities.
Teenage Girls Reached
Survivors Receiving Mental Support
Counties of operation
Programs led by Survivors and Volunteers
Holding community dialogues with targeted women and men on the harmful effects of FGM on their children. These men and women are fathers and mothers of girls who are vulnerable and can easily be cut.
We engage with survivors to be able to process their traumas and tell their stories hence shield their daughters from FGM. .
During school holidays, we hold forums for girls and young mothers in various locations, focusing on emotional wellbeing, rights awareness, and resilience. We also provide support to survivors to help them process their experiences.
In 2023, LAGI organized and held community engagement meeting in Chesongoch to address the high risk of female genital cutting in the area, which had been identified as a hotspot. The meeting brought together parents of girls who were at risk, as well as women who had not been cut but remained vulnerable to the practice. The session aimed to raise awareness and encourage community dialogue on protecting girls and women from the harmful practice..
In March 2025, Light A Girl Initiative (LAGI) conducted a school visitation program at Chesongoch Primary School aimed at engaging both boys and girls on important topics such as life skills and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). During the session, students participated in discussions designed to empower them with knowledge, confidence, and practical life skills. As part of the initiative, the boys received pens and pencils to support their learning, while the girls were provided with dignity kits to promote menstrual hygiene and ensure they can continue attending school with confidence. .
In 2025, Light A Girl Initiative (LAGI) conducted a Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and life skills training session for 30 girls in Sambalat. The session provided a safe and supportive environment where the girls felt comfortable sharing their experiences and challenges. The participants were highly receptive to the discussions, and many opened up about the issues they face in their daily lives. The training aimed to equip them with knowledge, confidence, and practical life skills to help them make informed decisions and navigate challenges more effectively.
Kipyebo, Mogil Kapkeny girls anti-FGM engagement.
When Viola first joined the AMUA SASA one-day event, she was a quiet and reserved girl. Like many of her peers, she carried silent fears about her future and the pressure of harmful practices such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)...
Read story →
Sally is a dedicated high school teacher and an outspoken advocate for women’s rights. A survivor of FGM herself, she has been a fierce opponent of the practice since she was 18. Her voice carries the strength and authenticity that only lived experience can bring, inspiring others to rethink harmful traditions. With unwavering determination, Sally envisions a future where FGM no longer exists in Kerio Valley—and she is working tirelessly to make that vision a reality.
Sarah grew up watching young girls endure the pain of the cut. Over the years, she has listened to countless women share their stories of trauma and the lasting scars FGM has left on their lives. As a nurse and midwife serving in local hospitals, she has witnessed firsthand the immense suffering cut women face during childbirth. These experiences fuel her mission. Today, Sarah speaks out with courage and compassion, carrying her message against FGM to every village, home, and hamlet across Marakwet East—determined to protect girls and give women hope for a safer future.
Cynthia deeply values the rich culture of the Marakwet people—but she firmly rejects the harmful practice of circumcising girls. Instead, she champions positive cultural expression, organizing vibrant events that celebrate heritage while creating safe spaces to challenge FGM and all forms of gender-based violence. As Programmes Lead at Light a Girl Initiative, Cynthia brings bold leadership, strong mobilization skills, and an unwavering commitment to protecting girls. Fearless and people-driven, she is redefining what it means to honour culture without harming women and girls.
Leonard is a firm believer in equal education for girls and boys, convinced that empowered girls can achieve extraordinary heights. A vocal opponent of FGM, he has consistently challenged cultural fundamentalists who defend the practice. Since 2017, Leonard has led numerous sensitization sessions in his community, urging the rejection of harmful traditions and championing education as the key to empowering girls and transforming society.
Lydia first encountered FGM after marrying into the Marakwet community. Growing up in Uasin Gishu, a cosmopolitan region where the practice was unfamiliar, she was shocked and deeply disturbed by the widespread violation of young girls and women. Together with Sally and Sarah, she co-founded Light A Girl Initiative to challenge this harmful practice and give survivors a voice. Lydia recalls being ridiculed for being an uncircumcised married woman, labeled immature and a misfit in a community where more than 75% of girls are cut before the age of 14. Her pain and resilience now fuel a movement dedicated to protecting girls and restoring their dignity.