"Girls Are Born Perfect": EU Gender Mission Unites Communities Against FGM in Rift Valley
In Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet, known worldwide as the "Home of Champions," a different kind of victory is being won. This one doesn't involve crossing a finish line – it's about breaking the cycle of female genital mutilation and gender-based violence. From 2 to 4 February, a high-level EU Gender Mission travelled to Kenya's Rift Valley to witness first-hand the impact of the EU-funded Komesha FGM Sasa! ("End FGM Now!") in Elgeyo Marakwet and PLEAD Programmes in Eldoret.
European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger was joined by Cabinet Secretary for Gender Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, Presidential Advisor on Women's Rights Harriet Chiggai, Irish Ambassador Caitríona Ingoldsby, and Norwegian Ambassador Siv Cathrine Moe. Together with UNFPA Kenya, they engaged with county leaders, athletes, survivors, and community members united by a single message: girls are born perfect.
The mission began with a courtesy call on Governor Wisley Kipyegon Rotich, who outlined the county's commitment to eliminating FGM. Kenya has set an ambitious national target to eliminate FGM by 2026, and the Komesha FGM Sasa! Programme – funded by the EU with over KES 600 million – is supporting these efforts across seven high-prevalence counties, including Elgeyo Marakwet.
UNFPA 2026
At the Kiprun 42 House Athletes Camp, Kenyan and Irish Olympians Derval O’Rourke and Karen Shinkins shared powerful testimonies about gender-based violence in sport. The session highlighted ongoing safeguarding initiatives aimed at preventing GBV and sexual exploitation within sports environments – demonstrating how world-class training grounds can also become spaces for advocacy and social change. This part of the visit culminated in a symbolic joint run – a run for change, inspired by their shared commitment to ending GBV.
UNFPA 2026
The delegation also visited Eldoret Women Prison, where the EU-funded PLEAD programme is supporting incarcerated women's rehabilitation and reintegration though skills building, paralegal services and legal aid. PLEAD I (2018–2022) laid the foundations of justice sector reform and PLEAD II (2023–2027), with KES 5.3 billion in funding, has expanded to include construction of a state-of-the-art daycare centre for children accompanying their mothers in custody.
A highlight of the mission was the "Born Perfect Caravan", a survivor-led mobile campaign that travels through communities to mobilise the public and create awareness in the fight against FGM. As part of the caravan, an intergenerational dialogue brought together elders, youth, religious leaders, government officials, and survivors to discuss FGM from different generational perspectives. "I am very impressed by the level of community engagement that has happened since the start of the Komesha FGM project," Ambassador Geiger noted. Survivors shared stories of extraordinary bravery – of standing up against social norms even when it meant facing personal consequences. "I am confident these courageous women will stand up to prevent FGM from happening to their girls."
UNFPA 2026
As the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (6 February) approaches, the message from Elgeyo Marakwet is clear: Komesha FGM Sasa!