We work to raise awareness about the rights and needs of disadvantaged communities, with a particular focus on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). In Kenya, FGM persists due to cultural traditions, poverty, and limited access to education. More than 60% of FGM survivors come from the poorest communities, showing a direct link between economic vulnerability and harmful practices. In Kisii County, FGM remains deeply rooted despite the 2011 Prohibition Act. While 92% of Kenyans support ending FGM, the practice continues to cause severe physical and psychological harm, including pain, trauma, and even death. Long-term effects include chronic pain, complications during childbirth, and fistula (UNFPA).

Shades of Hope Legacy Foundation’s advocacy program is critical to ending FGM. Educated women are 8.5 times less likely to subject their daughters to FGM (Population Reference Bureau). However, in impoverished rural areas, FGM is often viewed as a survival strategy, with the bride price serving as a key income source. This makes FGM a prerequisite for marriage, with girls subjected to it at increasingly younger ages as economic pressures mount (Girls Not Brides).

Addressing the root causes of FGM—poverty, culture, and lack of education—is essential. Providing education and economic opportunities will help break the cycle of gender-based violence. Community-led interventions, combined with the strict enforcement of anti-FGM laws, are crucial to eradicating this harmful practice, paving the way for a healthier and more equitable society.