** A dedicated coach is using athletics and education to combat female genital mutilation and empower young girls in rural Uganda.
📍 ** Uganda, Sebei Communities
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In parts of rural and hard-to-reach Uganda, female genital mutilation (FGM) remains a devastating human rights violation and public health crisis, particularly impacting girls in communities like Sebei. Rooted in deep-seated gender norms, FGM is linked to increased risks of child marriage, school dropout, and violence. A critical voice of change is Ms. Cheptoek, a coach working with the Joshua Cheptegei Development Foundation, a partnership between the UN and several organizations, to directly address this issue.
Ms. Cheptoek’s work provides a vital safe space for girls to confide in her about deeply personal issues, including pressure to undergo FGM, threats to their education, and unsafe relationships. By introducing sport as a means of engagement, particularly through events like annual Christmas runs and educational sponsorships, the program reaches vulnerable young women who are often excluded from traditional opportunities. This approach challenges harmful social norms and empowers girls to resist pressure.
The program's impact extends beyond individual girls, gradually shifting community attitudes. As these girls thrive in athletics and their education, parents begin to recognize the transformative potential of sport, seeing it as a pathway to a brighter future. Alongside this, Ms. Cheptoek offers crucial support with sexual and reproductive health education, personal safety advice, and psychosocial guidance, equipping girls with the knowledge and confidence to make their own choices and actively shape their destinies.
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** #FGM #FemaleGenitalMutilation #Uganda #YouthEmpowerment #SportForChange #UNICEF #UNFPA #GenderEquality