Crusader against FGM

Through her organisation, Tumdo ne Leel, DR SUSAN CHEBET is saving girls in her community from the cruel female genital mutilation and training them to be responsible adults. She spoke to TITUS TOO

Coming from a humble background, Dr Susan Chebet did not know that she would one day play a key role in empowering girls in her community.

Through her initiative, Tumdo Ne Leel (alternative initiation concept), Dr Jebet has socially and educationally empowered girls in the North and South Rift regions.

DR SUSAN CHEBET is saving girls in her community from the cruel female genital mutilation. [Photo/Standard]

During the International Women’s Day that was marked in March, Dr Chebet was celebrated for providing an alternative rite of passage for hundreds of young girls who would otherwise have gone through Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

FGM is rampant in the area and has been blamed for the high rates of school dropouts and early marriages among communities who practise it, especially in the rural areas.

The outdated practice has also exposed young girls to high risks of HIV infections through contaminated surgical tools. It also results in complications at birth due to the severe cut inflicted on young initiates.

Dr Chebet’s initiative saw Tumdo Ne Leel Support Group (TNLSG) registered on October 2003 as a Community Based Organisation (CBO) to offer training on societal values to young girls as an alternative to FGM.

Alternative training

"This new concept aims at empowering young girls and women to leadership through education," says Dr Chebet.

She adds: "Some communities are conservative and resistant to change. With TNLSG, we want to protect girls from circumcision and offer them alternative training on all aspects of the society."

Dr Chebet, who is currently the Principal Administrative Officer at Moi University, is able to balance her duties with programmes aimed at improving girls’ access to education in pastoral regions of the North Rift.

She has developed a curriculum where young girls from the age of 12 years and above are enrolled in a one-week programme on tradition, education and Christianity instead of undergoing the cut.

Training venues have been identified in Nandi, Kipkelion, Sotik, Londiani, Baringo and Uasin Gishu where volunteer opinion leaders guide the young girls.

Over 1,000 girls are trained annually and awarded certificates at the end of the sessions. "We work with churches and schools, and training programmes are announced during the December holidays. Parents are embracing the new concept by bringing their girls rather than taking them for FGM rites," says Dr Chebet.

Instead of marking the girls transition to adulthood through FGM, Tumdo Ne Leel provides meaningful training and ensures girls continue with their education.

"The new constitution provides for 30 per cent representation of women in public appointments. We will only achieve this by empowering girls through education and fighting anti-social vices," she says.

With its vision being ‘To be a regional organisation that promotes the wellbeing, restoration of dignity, advancement and empowerment of girls and women’, TNLSG aims at creating awareness to young girls on their community’s traditions and transition dynamics.

Traditional rites

During the training, girls are educated on traditional rites of passage, including birth, child naming, initiation, engagement, marriage and burial. They are also taught on the taboos related to pregnancy, marriage and food among others.

The girls go through training on their body changes and development, relationships, family, self-esteem and self-concept.

Church leaders and professionals, including doctors, are engaged in training the girls to ensure that they embrace healthy and successful lifestyles.

Dr Chebet was born in 1955 and grew up in Keiyo District where socio-cultural and traditional practices were strictly adhered. Her parents could not afford to pay her tuition fees, but because she was a bright girl, she was awarded a remission (tuition waiver) from Class One to Seven.

Apart from fundraisings from her local community, individuals and organisations also funded her education. They include a missionary family, her former primary school teacher Jane Kiptoo Biy, and a women’s charity group from the University of Nairobi.

She was awarded a Head of State Commendation by President Kibaki in 2010 for her role in empowering girls. Dr Chebet has also authored four books on culture, women empowerment and curriculum. She is married to Daniel Chebet and they have three sons and grandsons.