Project
#MenAgainstFGMinKenya
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Amount Funded
132,196 EUROProject Duration
01 Mar 2018 - 31 Dec 2019 -
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Lead organisation
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The Equality of Men and Women (MEW) works to transform men and women into being human, sovereign and equal as a prerequisite for the enjoyment of human rights and democracy. Its objective is to discern and deal with the root causes, nature and character of masculine barriers to the attainment of equal human rights. The organisation was launched in 1999 when several human rights activists came together to organise The March of Men to End Violence against Women and Girls. Women’s rights organisations welcomed MEW’s initiative to end discrimination and domination of women. Indeed, women joined the march in great numbers. It was not about condemning men but holding them accountable for what goes wrong between them and women. Since 1999, women’s struggle for equality has generated a lot of positive results. MEW works to mobilize men to respond to these gains and transform themselves to create equitable gender relations. The philosophy of MEW is that: 1. Men and women are born equal. 2. Inequality is the result of flawed socialisation. 3. MEW can do something to nurture equality by improving the socialisation process. Thus, MEW is committed to change men’s attitudes and behaviour by redefining manhood in the socialisation process with a view to achieving a harmonious and equitable relationship with women.
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Organisation
The Equality of Men and Women (MEW) works to transform men and women into being human, sovereign and equal as a prerequisite for the enjoyment of human rights and democracy. Its objective is to discern and deal with the root causes, nature and character of masculine barriers to the attainment of equal human rights. The organisation was launched in 1999 when several human rights activists came together to organise The March of Men to End Violence against Women and Girls. Women’s rights organisations welcomed MEW’s initiative to end discrimination and domination of women. Indeed, women joined the march in great numbers. It was not about condemning men but holding them accountable for what goes wrong between them and women. Since 1999, women’s struggle for equality has generated a lot of positive results. MEW works to mobilize men to respond to these gains and transform themselves to create equitable gender relations. The philosophy of MEW is that: 1. Men and women are born equal. 2. Inequality is the result of flawed socialisation. 3. MEW can do something to nurture equality by improving the socialisation process. Thus, MEW is committed to change men’s attitudes and behaviour by redefining manhood in the socialisation process with a view to achieving a harmonious and equitable relationship with women.
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Project
The Men Against Female Genital Mutilation Litigation project is all about empowering girls and women by protecting their human rights against the harmful and retrogressive cultural practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The project entails opposing a Constitutional Petition No 8 of 2017 filed at the Machakos High Court by a medical doctor Dr. Tatu Kimani. The ultimate aim is to have the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act declared unconstitutional. The Petitioner avers that the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act is discriminatory as it prevents women and girls from undergoing circumcision while boys and men are able to undergo circumcision.
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The Men Against Female Genital Mutilation Litigation project is all about empowering girls and women by protecting their human rights against the harmful and retrogressive cultural practice of female genital mutilation (FGM). The project entails opposing a Constitutional Petition No 8 of 2017 filed at the Machakos High Court by a medical doctor Dr. Tatu Kimani. The ultimate aim is to have the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act declared unconstitutional. The Petitioner avers that the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act is discriminatory as it prevents women and girls from undergoing circumcision while boys and men are able to undergo circumcision.
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The divinity of a woman’s body
Men Against Female Genital Mutilation Litigation (MAGML) project was set up to empower girls and women to protect their human rights against the harmful and retrogressive cultural practices of FGM. It intended to oppose a Constitutional Petition No 8 of 2017 filed at the Machakos High Court filed by Dr Tatu Kimani. The petitioner argued that prohibiting FGM is discriminatory as it prevents girls and women from undergoing circumcision while boys and men are allowed to undergo circumcision. The case was brought by way of a Constitutional Petition, challenging the law prohibiting female genital mutilation. MEW enjoined in the case to defend the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act (2011) which is vital for defending and promoting the rights of girls and women.
“My mother ‘s divinity was the root of my selfhood. By her refusal to be circumcised, Wandia (1910-1950), did determine her selfhood, womanhood and the destiny of many African people. Her selfhood was the essence of humanity. She was free and sovereign; complete in herself by herself and for herself. From Wandia‘s womanhood streamed the will, wisdom and hope that illuminated her every path.’’ Reverend Timothy Njoya.
One key result from the project was the rise on the anti FGM campaign in Kajiado county which had remained an FGM hotspot as a result of MEW activities in Kajiado. Another win for the project was the authoring and publication of the book “The Divinity of the Clitoris” by Rev Dr. Timothy Njoya. The ultimate impact was considered to be the utilization of curative and preventive counselling for boys and men with a view to reforming their behaviour and rehabilitating them to human behaviour
In the High Court of Kenya, eight organisations presented their views on Anti-FGM activities in Kajiado. MEW also involved church leaders, traditional community gate-keepers, duty bearers such as chiefs, ranch officials and the educated ladies and men from those communities in its advocacy campaigns and sensitisation exercises. MEW considered it a success to be enjoined to give the Christian religious views on the case.
MEW made use of clinical diagnosis using hermeneutical tools of a certain community to determine what ails or makes unequal the relations between men and women. From the society’s defined cultural norms and socialization, MEW was able to develop social vaccines and cure for boys and men. This was very successful in influencing the targeted groups as they were able to identify with their own socialization and its flaws.
More of these can be found in the following links;
https://voice.global/blog/patriarchy-the-enemy-of-selfhood/
https://voice.global/the-clitoris-should-stay-where-he-fixed-it/
https://voice.global/blog/nature-versus-culture/
https://voice.global/stories/the-divinity-of-a-womans-body/
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News
