In the heart of Kilgoris, Kenya, a group of girls energetically chant, “I am worth defending!” as they assume fighting stances. These girls are not part of a martial arts club; they are students at a Maasai boarding school in Transmara, western Kenya. This institution also functions as a refuge for teenagers who have fled from the perils of early marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).
Grace Musheni, aged 14, shares that the girls are taught to defend themselves and safeguard their physical integrity at the Enkakenya Centre for Excellence, where she has been residing and learning since 2023. Established in 2009 by Kakenya Ntaiya, herself a survivor of genital cutting, the center not only provides a sanctuary for girls at the brink of forced marriages but also offers complimentary secondary education. This incentive encourages parents to let their daughters continue their studies instead of succumbing to traditional cutting ceremonies that typically occur with Maasai girls between ages 8 and 17.
After undergoing circumcision, a girl is deemed an adult, thus often forcing her into marriage, thereby ending her childhood and education prematurely. Musheni elaborates that poverty drives many child marriages, as parents might agree to marry off their daughters for financial benefits.
Although Ntaiya couldn’t evade circumcision, she succeeded in persuading her father to support her educational pursuits. Now, she holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of Pittsburgh and is widely recognized for her advocacy work.
“I am a testament to the power of education, and I am determined to illuminate my community on the significance of empowering women and girls,” Ntaiya asserts. Despite Kenyan laws against genital mutilation and marrying individuals below 18, these practices persist, especially in rural areas with lower education levels. A 2022 government survey revealed that 56.3% of uneducated women had undergone genital mutilation, compared to just 5.9% of those with secondary education.
Education appears to reduce gender-based violence, with 34% of Kenyan women reporting physical abuse experiences, a percentage that decreases to 23% among educated women. Nevertheless, this statistic remains troublingly high. Therefore, besides education, the Enkakenya Centre collaborates with “I’m Worth Defending” to impart self-defense skills. This training extends beyond physical combat to instilling assertiveness life skills.
Amelia Awuor from I’m Worth Defending notes, “We train them in assertiveness and boundary-setting, with both verbal and physical techniques, empowering them to voice against violations and fend off threats.”
Rahab Lepishoi, a 14-year-old participant, now advocates for other girls’ safety. During a trip to her sister’s residence, she warned an old friend about the looming risk of circumcision, urging her to evade it. She mirrors the educators who annually journey to remote Transmara communities, raising awareness regarding FGM, early marriages, and educational empowerment.
Lepishoi reflects, “I apply assertiveness skills to educate peers, ensuring they assert confidently in situations involving boys.” These self-defense classes also offer protection against sexual abuse, which often ties victims in abusive marriages.
Musheni adds, “If a girl reports abuse to her parents, it’s not uncommon for them to compel her to marry her abuser.”
Fifteen-year-old Purity Risanoi, at the school for five years, hails from a traditional family. “A girl is expected to marry without a say,” she says. Her counterplan: study tirelessly with dreams of becoming a lawyer.
Musheni harbors aspirations of becoming a software engineer, aspiring to leverage technology to empower her community. “Girls can achieve greatness,” she declares. “I wish to motivate others to pursue their aspirations.”
