How Reflect Circle Meetings are Ending FGM and Gender-Based Violence

In Toghomo sub-location, the once-unshakeable wall of silence surrounding harmful traditions has finally begun to crumble. For years, the lives of women and girls in this part of Pokot Central were dictated by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), gender-based violence (GBV), and the destructive cycle of alcohol abuse. While the pain was felt by many, the fear of cultural backlash ensured that these issues remained hidden. Today, that narrative is being rewritten by the Chemukut Reflect Circle.

This profound shift was ignited by the Komesha FGM Sasa Project, implemented by Ripot Community Based Organisation (CBO). This vital community work is made possible through the support of ActionAid Kenya, a grantee of the UNFPA Kenya project, which is generously funded by the European Union in Kenya. By introducing the “Reflect Circle” approach, Ripot CBO moved away from traditional lecturing, instead creating a safe, mentoring-based environment where women could finally speak their truths without judgment.

As trust grew, these gatherings became a powerful engine for education. The women began to deconstruct the root causes of the challenges they faced, recognizing the clear links between alcohol abuse and domestic violence, and how FGM acts as a gateway to early marriage and school dropout. Through leadership mentoring, the members stopped seeing themselves as victims of their circumstances and started seeing themselves as the solution.

“For a long time, we carried the weight of our traditions in silence, believing that speaking out would only bring trouble. But in the Reflect Circle, we found a safe place to put down that weight. We realized that our voices are not just noise, they are the shield that will protect our daughters from the pain we once knew and went through.” stated Jeniffer Anagari, Chairlady Chemukut Reflect Circle

The true strength of the Chemukut Reflect Circle was tested during the festive season in 2025, a period traditionally marked by a high risk of FGM. Rather than waiting for external authorities to intervene, the women of the circle took the lead. They held heart-to-heart discussions with their daughters, engaged other parents in the village, and remained vigilant across the community. Their collective resolve ensured that not a single girl in their village underwent the cut during that season, a landmark victory for local leadership and mutual accountability.