Mercy Nashipai: One girl's fight against FGM tradition

Mercy Nashipai – a psychologist by profession – spends nearly every minute of her life fighting against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

The 26-year-old says she is determined to fight; tooth and nail, to help girls in her community to live dignified lives.

Born and raised in Loitoktok – in Kajiado county -- Nashipai counts herself lucky to have survived the cut.

“In Kajiado, Meru and Tana River counties, once you undergo FGM, you definitely are not going back to school, instead you are married off,” she told Wananchi Reporting.

Nashipai who now runs an outfight dedicated to the course, says she is keen to help other girls in her community to navigate through the demands of the society; fighting for equality and equity.

“My FGM ordeal had psychological effects on me as a child growing up,” says Nashipai -- who is fighting the FGM war from deep within its walls.

“The custom negatively affects the growth and development of the girl child, and that’s why we must unite and fight FGM, empower our girls and give them an equal opportunity to education,” she adds.

Nashipai says she wants to be able to help more girls from the shackles of FGM.