Elias is an activist and coordinator, the Kenya Men Engage Alliance, a network of organizations which uses contemporary channels to reach out to boys and men to fight FGM.

[bctt tweet=”I started working with Margret Wanza Foundation, which was formed by the family after Margret was killed by the husband. I have been working with the foundation to fight the cause that led to the murder of our mother and our sister. #EndFGMPodcast Quotes @EliasMuind Cc: @SaropaTimpiyian @TonyMwebia #EndFGM #PodsNBO”]

[bctt tweet=”We formed Men Engage Alliance. Many organizations realised the need to work with men. We started with three organisations.

[bctt tweet=”Initially it was tough, people see you as someone destabilizing the community especially if you don’t come from that community.

[bctt tweet=”One of the things need to be done is to have honesty. Others join the movement with selfish motives then run away after knowing its a matter of pulling resources.

[bctt tweet=” Men Engage, @kemea10 members sign an MOU where the secretariat disburse funds to members according to when one does their activities. A steering committee sits quarterly to discuss programs.

[bctt tweet=”You need to have joint efforts and let everyone be involved in #EndFGM. Thats why it’s important to involve men.

[bctt tweet=”Its good to learn to engage people in a positive way. You do not present your culture to the community, you engage and dialogue with them.

[bctt tweet=”I saw this as an entry point, talking to men who are the custodians of culture. If they say FGM will not be practised in their home, it will not be done.

[bctt tweet=”We did research on engaging men in the fight against FGM and developed the dads and daughters workshop. When dads talk to their daughters, great things happen.

[bctt tweet=”Most people consult the network on various ways to tackle and design projects on the ground. Please get what strategies work and replicate it.

[bctt tweet=”One of the reasons why you can work without having impact is by not involving the local community.

[bctt tweet=”We build the capacity of the people on the ground and sometimes give them resources to work on their own.

[bctt tweet=”Community champions get platforms to speak about FGM, we look for opportunities for them. We ensure a consistent flow of information and go to the ground to see what they are doing.

[bctt tweet=”In our network, we tell members to use the concept that works in the particular place you are working.

[bctt tweet=”If we register our network that means we will be competing for resources. As a network we should not conduct activities, let members conduct activities. Networks should not be registered.

[bctt tweet=”When you work together you have greater impact as opposed to working alone. If we want to end FGM why can’t we work together.

ABOUT FGM

To listen to this podcast on itunes, search for End FGM or Jeremiah Kipainoi, or click here.

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