Bernadette Loloju: My FGM story and mission to protect girls

Bernadette Loloju, the CEO of the Anti-FGM Board of Kenya, shared a deep personal story of survival that has shaped her journey to become one of the most passionate advocates for the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Her narrative sheds light on the emotional and physical trauma that many girls endure in the name of tradition and cultural practices.

“I was subjected to FGM by a retired nurse,”  Loloju began, recounting her painful childhood experience. “In the village, she was known as ‘Shosho,’ and she carried all her tools - gloves, syringes, scissors—in a bag. To us, it was just part of growing up. It was the norm.”

Like many other girls, Loloju believed that FGM was a rite of passage, something every girl had to go through. At the time, the idea of not undergoing FGM was unthinkable.

Loloju's experience was marked by intense physical and emotional pain. “At the time, I hadn’t traveled beyond Oloitoktok, just from Rombo Kajiado. In my village, you had to earn your way to leave by joining activities like music or sports. I was ambitious, but I was also bound by deep-rooted traditions, especially those held by my grandmother,” she recalled.

The day of the procedure, Loloju and two other girls were to undergo FGM. Her older sister was first, she remembered. When it was Loloju's turn, the nurse held a pair of scissors and a large boiled syringe, a moment that caused her lasting trauma.

“The trauma started the night before when we saw her boiling the tools,” Loloju explained, her voice heavy with the pain of revisiting the past. It was done fast since she was still too young.

The physical pain wasn’t the only consequence of FGM. Her sister suffered severe bleeding, resulting in anemia that would affect her for years. But in the community, this was considered a normal part of the process, and elders performed traditional ceremonies to stop the bleeding.

"I thought it was normal because I was so young and did not know any better," Loloju reflected, a painful realization about her own ignorance at the time.

It wasn’t until years later that Loloju fully understood the impact of FGM on her body. "Six years later, in August 1994, I had my first child. It was then that I began to understand the full extent of the harm done to me. I had no idea what FGM truly meant and the lasting effects it had on my physical and emotional well-being," she said.

This revelation was the turning point in her life, and she became deeply committed to ensuring that other girls would not suffer as she had.

Today, as the CEO of the Anti-FGM Board of Kenya, Loloju is leading the fight against this harmful practice. She works tirelessly to educate communities, raise awareness, and advocate for the rights and protection of girls. Her journey of survival has transformed into a mission to prevent others from enduring the same fate.

“We’ve made progress,” Loloju said, “but we still need support. It’s time to work together to roll out these programs and change the future for girls everywhere.” She called on development partners, including UNFPA and FCDO, to strengthen their efforts in eradicating FGM. “Together, we can end this practice and build a better future for the next generation,” Loloju emphasized.

Loloju’s work aligns with global efforts to combat FGM. The British High Commission in Kenya, along with other partners, has been instrumental in supporting the Anti-FGM Board’s efforts.

Through technical and financial backing, they have helped implement critical programs aimed at ending FGM. The Deputy High Commissioner, Diane Dalton, reaffirmed the UK's commitment to gender equality, emphasizing that empowering women and girls is vital for both their well-being and the sustainable development of the region.

One of the key areas of focus has been education. Dr. Alice Maranga, a Senior Lecturer at Egerton University and an End FGM Champion, shared her transformative journey.

“I used to believe that medicalized FGM was a safer option,” she admitted. “This training changed me. I now know that it’s just as harmful as traditional FGM.”

Since 2022, Egerton University has trained nearly 700 students on FGM, equipping them with the knowledge and advocacy skills needed to combat the practice.

The demand for a multi-disciplinary approach to ending FGM is growing, signalling that these efforts are taking root in Kenya’s education sector.

In Narok, Moses Maemba from the Narok Model Health Facility shared similar progress. “Most of our healthcare professionals have been trained,” he reported.

"We have strengthened our reporting tools at both the facility and community levels and set up a referral mechanism for specialized care."

The facility has also seen a rise in skilled deliveries, with improved management of FGM-related complications like fistula.

A key part of their success is engaging the community through innovative methods, such as “nyama choma” dialogues with young men, helping shift attitudes about FGM and promoting its abandonment.

These initiatives are making a lasting impact not only in Narok but across Kenya. The Narok Model Health Facility’s approach demonstrates the importance of community-rooted strategies in ending FGM. By educating healthcare workers, implementing effective referral systems, and engaging local communities, they have significantly contributed to the ongoing efforts to eradicate FGM.

Loloju’s story is a reminder of the courage required to confront harmful traditions and fight for the rights and well-being of future generations. With the continued support of partners like the UK government, UNFPA, and FCDO, there is hope for a future where no girl is subjected to FGM, and where every girl and woman is empowered to live a life of dignity and respect. 

As the fight against FGM continues, collaboration remains key. Together, we can create a world where no girl is subjected to FGM, and where every woman has the right to live freely, safely, and with dignity.