 The Cheptoo
Initiative
has been operating since 2002 in the
West Pokot district of Kenya, situated on the
border with Uganda.
The
district covers an area of about 9,100
km2
with its headquarters in
Kapenguria.
West
Pokot is one of the most marginalized
and
neglected regions in the country, left
undeveloped by successive Kenyan governments going
back to the colonial administration. The
indigenous people are predominantly pastoralist in
an area associated with cattle rustting and
feuding between neighbouring ethnic
groups.
In
pastoralist communities most girls do not go to
school; instead they take care of cows, collect
water and firewood for cooking, and get married
forcefully at an early age soon after
circumcision.
This
project is about giving
hope to pastoralist girls and
women
by:
- Establishing and alternative Rite of passage
and
- Creating a Public Forum for girls to say NO
to early marriage and FGC (Forced Genital
Cutting).
- Empowering pastoralist African communities
through a human rights-based education program
to eradicate harmful cultural practices and
adopt sustainable development
initiatives.
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