Matonyok Community Organization in Marsabit Steps Up Fight Against FGM, Early Marriages and GBV
Matonyok Community Organization, a local community-based organization based in Karare, Marsabit County, is intensifying efforts to protect young girls from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early child marriages and Gender-Based Violence (GBV), while offering critical support to people living with HIV who face severe stigma.
The organization, which works deep within the pastoralist communities of Karare and its environs, says harmful cultural practices continue to seal the future of many young girls in the region, despite government bans and increased awareness.
Speaking during a community outreach forum in Karare, social worker and member of Matonyok CBO Emma Fausia said the organization works every day to protect families and change lives.
“Hello guys, my name is Emma Fausia. I’m a social worker and a member at Matonyok Community Based Organization. I speak for the Matonyok Community Based Organization. We work hard everyday to protect families and change lives in our community,” she said.
“Our people face deep struggles, female genital mutilation and early child marriages seal the future of our young girls. Gender based violence breaks homes and heart safety. At the same time people living with HIV face severe stigma and need steady medical care and food support,” Fausia added.
In Karare, a largely pastoral area in Marsabit, Matonyok CBO says girls as young as 12 are still being subjected to the cut and married off to older men in exchange for dowry, denying them education and exposing them to lifelong health complications and psychological trauma. Cases of domestic violence and GBV are also rampant, breaking homes and leaving women and children vulnerable.
The organization says it does not just watch as these violations happen.
“We do not just watch, we step in, we rescue girls from early marriage and FGM. We teach families about human rights. We run safe spaces for GBV survivors. We also counsel people with HIV, help them take their medicine and fight the shame attached to the virus,” Fausia explained.
Matonyok Community Organization operates safe spaces for rescued girls in Karare, conducts door-to-door sensitization on child protection and human rights, and provides counseling, medical linkage and food support to people living with HIV to ensure consistent treatment adherence.
In recent weeks, the organization rescued several girls from planned early marriages in remote villages around Karare. Among them are two minors currently under the care of the organization, who have been provided with shelter, psychosocial support and are being prepared to return to school.
Despite the impact, the CBO says its work is hampered by limited resources and difficult terrain.
“We cannot do this alone. We call on the government and our NGO partners to stand with us. We need funds, training resources and operational support to expand our reach,” Fausia appealed.
“Partners, partner with Matonyok CBO today help us save our girls, protect the vulnerable and give dignity to every person living with HIV,” she added.
Local women leaders in Marsabit, some of whom have discarded harmful practices themselves, have backed Matonyok’s call, urging the Marsabit County Government, the National Government, the Anti-FGM Board and development partners to support grassroots organizations working directly with affected communities.
Marsabit is among the counties in northern Kenya with high prevalence of FGM and child marriage, driven by cultural beliefs, illiteracy, poverty and long distances to services. Organizations like Matonyok in Karare are now seen as a critical bridge between government programs and the pastoral communities most affected.
