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Media Urged to Lead Fight Against FGM, Child Marriage Through Future4Binti Initiative

By Ahmed Salat Ali  Aaran Tv Ke 

Media practitioners in Wajir have been challenged to take a leading role in combating harmful cultural practices affecting children and young girls, including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and barriers to education.

The call was made during a media engagement forum organized by the Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children (KAACR) under the Future4Binti Initiative, a multinational five-year programme running from 2026 to 2030 in Wajir and Mandera counties.

The forum brought together journalists, digital content creators, local radio broadcasters and freelance media practitioners to discuss the media's role in advancing child protection and promoting positive social change within communities.

Speaking during the session, Timothy Ikesa, a facilitator with KAACR, briefed participants on the objectives of the Future4Binti programme and emphasized the importance of strategic media engagement in addressing harmful cultural norms.

“The media remains one of the most powerful tools for shaping public opinion and influencing social transformation. Journalists have a responsibility to amplify voices that advocate for the rights, safety, and education of girls,” he said.

The Future4Binti initiative seeks to eradicate FGM and child, early and forced marriages while promoting education, gender equality, and improved access to health and psychosocial support services for girls and survivors of harmful practices.

The programme also works closely with community elders, religious leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to challenge entrenched social norms and encourage community-led solutions.

During the forum, Bash Mohamed, an Intergovernmental Coordination Officer, urged journalists to use their platforms responsibly to enlighten communities and protect children's rights.

“The media must take a central role in educating the public about the dangers of harmful practices. At the same time, journalists should uphold the highest standards of ethical reporting when covering sensitive issues involving children and vulnerable groups,” he said.

Participants were taken through KAACR's broader strategic framework, which focuses on strengthening child protection systems, expanding youth participation in governance, promoting child rights advocacy and enhancing digital safety initiatives to shield young people from online exploitation.

Founded in 1995, KAACR is a national umbrella organization representing more than 250 child-focused agencies across Kenya. The organization holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and collaborates with regional and international partners in advancing children's rights and welfare.

Over the coming years, KAACR plans to intensify efforts aimed at strengthening child rights networks, supporting family and community-based care systems, addressing child labour, promoting climate resilience among youth, and advancing national campaigns against violence and exploitation of children.

The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment from media practitioners to support awareness campaigns and use their platforms to champion the rights, protection, and empowerment of girls and children across Northern Kenya.

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