In the remote landscapes of North Pokot, where tradition and resilience intertwine, women have long been the silent bearers of generational burdens. From harmful cultural practices to the devastating impact of conflict and climate change, their struggles are deeply woven into the fabric of society.

Recently, at the Nasal Dispensary, a capacity-strengthening session brought together representatives from four women’s community groups from Katich, Kariamkeris, Tilelen, and Lokitelarengan. Spearheaded by APaD, with support from SaferWorld through the Austrian Development Agency-funded project, this initiative aimed to address some of the most pressing social and health challenges affecting women in the region.

Unraveling the Harmful Legacy of FGM

For generations, female genital mutilation (FGM) has remained a deeply entrenched practice in North Pokot. Passed down through the ages, it is seen as a crucial rite of passage into womanhood, a means of gaining social status and securing a future. Many women, with limited access to education or alternative perspectives, grow up believing that FGM is their only path to acceptance and honor.

However, beneath the veil of tradition lies a reality of pain, trauma, and irreversible health complications. Women who undergo FGM often suffer from severe bleeding, long-term infections, and complications during childbirth, including obstetric fistula a debilitating condition that leaves survivors with permanent physical and emotional scars. Many endure lifelong shame, social exclusion, and even death due to the medical risks associated with the practice.

The session provided an open and honest space for women to discuss the dangers of FGM and explore safer, culturally sensitive alternatives. Through awareness, storytelling, and medical insights, the women gained knowledge and confidence to challenge these deeply rooted customs in their communities.

Empowering Women in Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention

Beyond the health risks of FGM, women in cross-border regions like North Pokot face another battle—the impact of conflict and climate change. Resource-based conflicts have escalated over the years, leaving women and children the most affected by violence, displacement, and economic instability.

Despite overwhelming evidence that women’s involvement in peacebuilding leads to lasting and meaningful resolutions, they remain largely excluded from decision-making spaces. Cultural norms, combined with limited access to education and leadership roles, continue to push them into the background.

Through the “Strengthening Locally Led Solutions to Intersecting Peace, Gender, and Climate Challenges” project, APaD and its partners are breaking these barriers. During the training, 10 representatives from women peace groups were equipped with practical tools to step into leadership roles and contribute to gender-responsive conflict prevention strategies.

Key discussions focused on:
✔PTSD Awareness & Mental Health Support: Helping women recognize and manage trauma caused by conflict, displacement, and violence.
✔Fistula Prevention & Management: Addressing the causes, symptoms, and treatment of fistula, a condition that continues to affect women in underserved areas.
✔Proposal Development: Teaching women how to secure funding for community-led initiatives, ensuring sustainable development, and peacebuilding efforts.

A Future Driven by Knowledge and Change

The voices of women in North Pokot are growing louder. Through education, advocacy, and leadership, they are challenging longstanding traditions, fighting for their rights, and reclaiming their place in peace processes.

Ending FGM, addressing gender-based violence, and integrating women into peace negotiations will not happen overnight, but every conversation, every training, and every empowered woman brings the region one step closer to a future of equality, health, and sustainable peace.

The journey is long, but change has begun. And this time, women are leading the way.