Tony Mwebia is an SDG 5 Advocate, mainly focusing on ending FGM through grassroots’ campaigns and blogging, as well as advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. He has over 5 years of experience working with NGOs and Government agencies in Kenya. His work is informed by a long history of advocacy for women through conducting community dialogues and sensitization aimed at changing people’s attitude and perception towards harmful cultural practices.
Tony is a Filming the Bridge to End FGM training Scholar 2017 by AIDOS (funded by UNICEF/UNFPAJoint programme to tackle FGM/C), Women Deliver Youth Scholar 2016 and a participant of the first ever End FGM Media campaign academy by Guardian Global Media Campaign to END FGM. In July 2017 he Addressed regional FGM consultative meeting in Zanzibar Co-hosted by UNFPA, Sonke Gender Justice and Men Engage Africa (MEA).
About Men End FGM
I have severally said, “By not involving men in the fight against #FGM is like a doctor treating symptoms of a disease and ignoring the disease” Tony Mwebia
#MenENDFGM is an online and offline movement that rallies men and boys from all over the world to join the fight against female genital mutilation, child marriage and other harmful cultural practices. It strives to recognize the intersection between men and harmful cultural practices through advocacy in policy as a sure way of attaining inclusiveness in ending GBV. If you look keenly at the main reasons for FGM, they all point directly or indirectly to increasing marriageability. The question begs who are the potential husbands to marry these girls? On several occasions during community dialogues I have heard the girls lament, “our potential suitors (men) are putting pressure on us, and if we don’t get cut they will not marry us”.
By analyzing the role of men in ending FGM and other harmful cultural practices we stand a better chance of coming up with effective interventions. Remember FGM affects our sisters, friends, cousins, girlfriends, neighbors’; simply put the ones we love most. I urge all my fellow youth and especially men to join in this fight and together we can bring the generational change we so much yearn for.
Learn more at about Tony ad his work at: https://tonymwebia.co.ke/
About the End FGM Podcast
This podcast features people working in individual and organizational capacities in Kenya and beyond. They share their experiences, successes, failures and lessons learnt in the Anti FGM Campaign. Hosted by Jereiah Kipainoi. Published in partner with Voice of Maasai.
About FGM
According to the World health Organization, Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.