Survivor to champion: Aftin's unbreakable fight against FGM

 

Community Champion against Gender Based Violence Nastehe Aftin during a penel discussion on breaking the silence on disability and gender based violence on December 3, 2024 at the British Residence, Muthaiga. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]

At five years old, her world was forever changed. She was torn from the safety of her childhood and dragged into the forest, where the world as she knew it, was shattered.

Tied down by rough ropes, her tiny body restrained by the force of strong, weathered hands, she was helpless.

Hardened by years of tradition of cultural rites, the elderly women, surrounded her with grim determination, their faces stoic as they prepared for the ritual.

Despite her desperate cries and screams of pain in the unforgiving forest in Tana River County, the women were determined to enforce what they believed was fate.

Nastehe Aftin was ‘no longer a child’. She had been transitioned into womanhood as her community believes.

At that moment, Aftin was a victim of age-long Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practice that sought to strip her of her voice, her power and her future

UNICEF defines FGM as ‘all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.’

But that wasn’t the end of her story. Today, she stands before the world as a courageous anti-FGM champion, depicting a beacon of hope and resilience. She was narrating her story to a gathering at the British High Commissioner’s residence in Muthaiga, Nairobi during the celebration of the International Day for People with Disabilities.

“My body was tied with ropes. Some women held my legs, others my tummy and chest to make sure I could not move while others were busy cutting me with a razor blade. It was so painful and no one could help me,” she recalled.

“That is how FGM is carried out in my community. Girls are taken to the forest only accompanied by women known to conduct the rites. And these are old women in their sixties,” she explained.

In the brutal ceremony, Aftin’s leg was broken. “That time I did not know my leg was broken because of the pain of being cut until a day later,” she continued.

No medication was administered because she was still tied with ropes from the waist downwards until she could heal.

Aftin only knew about her predicament at a later age when she confronted her mother seeking an explanation for what befell her leading to the lifelong disability.

“I asked her if I am different from other children. I wanted to know why I was walking differently yet I was born without a disability,” she said.

“My mother explained to me and asked me to forgive her for what happened to me,” Aftin, now 38 years old, told the gathering.

Years later, she would become a voice for change. As a panellist at the forum, Aftin wanted the world to know her story to help other survivors come out and call out community elders for the retrogressive cultural practice.

Later in adulthood, she started Dayaa Women Group to reach women and girls who had undergone similar ordeal and more so those with disabilities.

Since 2013 when she founded the organisation, Aftin has brought together 25 members. All with different disabilities, health complications and stories all stemming from FGM.

“People with disabilities and survivors of FGM suffer double pain. They are vulnerable because they cannot run away or defend themselves,” she explained. 

Besides her community-based advocacy work, the anti-FGM champion sits in the Tana River County Anti-FGM committee. She was also recognised as a hero for her efforts in advocating for the rights of women and girls living with disabilities.

Anti FGM crusaders and Community Based Organizations match in Kisii town to mark International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on Feb 6, 2024. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

As the world marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities midway through the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence, the intersection of gender-based violence (GBV) and disability still remains often overlooked.

“Violence against women and girls is far too prevalent in Kenya, the wider region, and globally. Four out of ten women in Kenya reported to have experienced violence, with the perpetrators being a partner or family member,” said Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr Ed Barnett.

He added, “As we mark 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the deeply concerning rise in femicide in Kenya. And I welcome President Ruto’s commitment to 100 million shillings to tackle this scourge. The UK is committed to ending violence against women and girls,” he added.

He pledged support to the government and partners to end violence against women and girls such like FGM.

“GBV denies women and girls their full potential, damaging society and stopping development in its track. The UK has a proud record of supporting and accelerating the African-led movement to end FGM,” said Barnnet.

The government of Kenya acted to ban the practice in 2011 and empowered the courts to punish those who facilitated or practised FGM in the end goal of eradicating FGM BY 2030.

Despite this progress, the practice is still going on in the Somali, Kisii, Maasai, and Samburu Communities.

Dr Sylvia Moraa who represented the NCPWD board said FGM is a major cause of neuro-developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy and autism due to the damaging of the external female genitalia.

“When a woman is giving birth and the child does not get the right path or spacing, and when men are the ones deciding on behalf of women, even if the doctor recommends a Caesarian-Section, it can be denied, meaning the woman is being forced to give birth naturally,” said Moraa

“So you can imagine that is one problem on top of the other. And that’s why a majority of the children in these communities have cerebral palsy. Because it mostly happens within the first five years, but the highest number we’ve seen here in Kenya is because of the point of delivery,” said Dr Moraa.

Mercy Wanjau, the secretary to the cabinet who graced the event termed FGM as a pressing issue that must be addressed today.

“FGM is a harmful practice that not only violates the human rights of girls and women but also often leads to disabilities,” she said.

Wanjau added, “The impact of FGM on the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of its victims is profound, and the devastating effects are even more severe for persons with disabilities.”