V-Day Annual Report 2017 - RISE FOR WOMEN WORKERS 1 | Page 39

V-DAY SAFE HOUSE FOR THE GIRLS
TASARU NTOMONOK INITIATIVE/AGNES PAREYIO
Since it opened in 2002, Tasaru Ntomonok Initiative has been a safe house for girls fleeing Female Genital
Mutilation and early marriage, and an educational hub for the Kenyan community about the damage and
impact these forms of violence have on the girls and on the community. 64 girls resided at the safe house
during this holiday season and 17 of them fled their homes running from FGM and early marriage. Most of
them have been reconciled with their families through the Department of Children. 5 girls have successfully
completed four years of secondary education and have been reunited with their families. The center also has
more girls graduating from primary school and joining high school. 7 of our rescued girls did their primary
education examination and performed very well. Tasaru is in process of taking them to Form 1. 100 girls
between the ages of 12-16 took part in a six-day Alternative Right of Passage training in December so that
they could graduate into adulthood without the cut. The ceremony was graced by the County Director of
Children and was attended by leaders from the county and other invited guests. The Director promised to work
HAND IN HAND WITH TASARU TO IMPROVE THE WELLBEING OF GIRLS IN NAROK COUNTY.