CHALLENGES WE ADDRESS

1. Harmful Cultural Practices
   Practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and forced marriages persist in many areas of West Pokot despite being outlawed by Kenyan law. Deeply entrenched cultural beliefs, lack of awareness of legal protections, and social pressures force many girls into harmful rites of passage or early unions. These practices result in lifelong physical, emotional, and psychological trauma, denying girls their rights to health, education, and autonomy.
2. Low Literacy Levels
   West Pokot County’s literacy rate stands at approximately 40%, significantly lower than Kenya’s national average of 72%. Girls are particularly affected, as many are withdrawn from school to help with household chores or marry early. The lack of educational opportunities traps generations in poverty and limits access to information about health, rights, and economic opportunities.
3. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
   Early and forced marriages, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and intimate partner violence remain widespread. Limited enforcement of laws protecting women and girls, coupled with stigma and fear of retaliation, prevent many survivors from reporting abuse or seeking help. GBV undermines the physical, emotional, and economic well-being of women and girls.
4. Reproductive Health Barriers
   Access to reproductive health services in West Pokot is limited by long distances to health facilities, cultural taboos around discussing sexuality, and poverty. As a result, many women and girls lack family planning services, antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, or emergency obstetric services. This leads to complications such as obstetric fistula, high maternal and infant mortality rates, and preventable health crises.