Denis Karanja, a gospel musician from Amani Gold-NGO. He emphasised that it’s through music and art that societal problems like early marriages, teenage pregnancies, new HIV infections, child labour, and GBV can be addressed. Photo by Geoffrey
A collection of models and musicians has united under the Safe Engage Foundation Organisation to advocate against female genital mutilation (FGM) in Kuria.
During an art and modelling session held at the organisation’s grounds in Kehancha town, professional model and reigning Miss Continuity Kuria 2024, Magdalene Chacha, emphasised that the event was designed to create a safe space for advancing anti-FGM campaigns.
Chacha described female genital mutilation (FGM) as a major mental challenge in the Kuria region, despite interventions by the government, NGOs, and CSOs.
“Through modelling, we will continue to advocate against this vice to protect and value the rights of a Kuria girl,” she said.
She noted that modelling and art can educate girls on pursuing potential careers in the industry to achieve economic empowerment.
“Some members of the community who support FGM have been sending negative messages to discourage our advocacy,” she added.
“We have been called bad simply because we are in the modelling industry, trying to fight against retrogressive vices like FGM, GBV, and child labour,” lamented Chacha.
Roy Nyage, a model from Kuria, echoed Chacha’s sentiments, saying that the modelling industry will continue to champion the rights of Kuria girls to protect them from harmful cultural practices like FGM, early marriages, and Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Nyage said that through Safe Forums organised by organisations like Safe Engage NGO, the modelling world will lay better foundations for young girls by giving them the power to self-actualise their rights in society.
He noted that FGM does not give Kuria girls education papers to advance in life, yet it’s only through better education that the community can be empowered economically.
“We are encouraging our girls, who are majorly Gen-Zs, to focus on education to become innovators and drive the Kenyan economy forward instead of being dragged backwards by a culture whose time has passed,” stated Nyage.
Dennis Karanja, a gospel musician from Amani Gold-NGO,who is also a Person Living with Disability (PWD), said that the above problems have been affecting youths, women, and PWDs, subjecting them to abject poverty.
He emphasised that it’s through music and art that societal problems like early marriages, teenage pregnancies, new HIV infections, child labour, and GBV can be addressed.
He explained that he will continue to use his talent in music to advocate for anti-FGM and other retrogressive cultures and traditions in Kenya.
