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Kenya Fighting to End Female Genital Mutilation by 2023

Rael Ombuor

   NAROK, KENYA - Despite Kenya banning female genital mutilation in 2011,
   the tradition of circumcising girls has continued in some ethnic
   communities. President Uhuru Kenyatta vowed to end FGM by 2023, but
   activists say more needs to be done as millions of girls are still at
   risk of undergoing the cut.

   At just seven years old, Sylvia Keis' family told her she would be
   circumcised.

   One day before the ceremony, Keis ran away from her home village of
   Ewaso Ngiro to the town of Narok -- a three-hour walk.

   "I just decided I better ran away even if I was going to die, because I
   had that emotion," Keis said. "My father never took me to school and
   now he wants to circumcise me. After circumcision and you are not in
   school, what next? You will get married. I said I better ran away,
   whether I will get help or not."

   The Tasaru Girls Rescue Center gave Keis the shelter and support to
   avoid circumcision and stay in school.

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