A lobby group now wants communities to consider involving girls in initiation programmes that would help them through the transition period from girl to woman and give them a better understanding of the different aspects of womanhood.

Cosmas Mutua, the founder of Hope In Life Empowerment Centre, says that during the festive season in Nakuru, boys as young as 13 are taken through initiation (circumcision) ceremonies where they are taught about the different facets of being a responsible man in society.

He argues that there is also a need to consider the girl child through an alternative mentoring programme towards adulthood.

Cosmas Mutua from Hope In Life Empowerment Centre Nakuru during a past interview.

Photo credit: Courtesy

When the boys are taken for circumcision, there is need to take the girls through life skills talks.
According to Mr Mutua, such programmes will also help the girls understand different aspects of life and how to behave as they move into adulthood.

"We cannot leave out the girl child in all these conversations because they also need to be mentored on life issues through life skills mentorship," Mr Mutua said.

Also Read: Which Way Circumcision: Church Vs Cultural Elders

He adds that this will harmonise the whole issue and ensure that both boys and girls are on the same level.

Traditionally, the initiation ceremonies for the boys are held in December. Initially, the ceremonies would only be conducted traditionally by the elders of the various communities.

A good example that many people in Nakuru are familiar with is the one that is always done by the Agikuyu elders. Here, girls and women are kept away from the subject and the premises where the initiation ceremonies for boys take place.

However, with urbanisation and the cosmopolitan aspect of Nakuru, the church is also embracing church-organised initiation ceremonies.

But unlike the traditional initiation ceremonies, the church-organised initiation ceremonies gather boys in a church where they are circumcised and guided through religious teachings to adulthood.

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Rite of passage: Lobby group advocates mentorship for girls as boys undergo circumcision ceremonies

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Pristone Mambili