Domtila Chesang

Domtila Chesang is a Kenyan women’s rights activist known for her campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). She is the founder and director of I_Rep Foundation, which is established to address various forms of violence against girls and women.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Domtila Chesang
Organization	I_Rep Foundation
Known for	Anti-FGM Activism
Awards	Queen's Young Leader Award

Chesang was born and raised in West Pokot County.^[6]

Activism

Chesang began campaigning against FGM at 13 years old.^[2] She was trigerred to do so after witnessing the covert practice being performed on her cousin.^[1][7]

Chesang travels around the region to disseminate her campaign against FGM. She speaks in radio programs to destigmatize the topic.^[8] FGM is criminalized in 2011 but it remained prevalent.^[9]

Chesang worked with The Guardian’s end FGM media campaign.^{[10][11][12][7]} Chesang also worked as a high school teacher but left shortly to devote her time to her advocacy.^[5]

I_Rep Foundation

I_Rep Foundation, initially called Kepsteno Rotwoo Tipin (Let’s abandon the knife) was founded in 2010. It is established to rescue, support and empower victims of gender based violence, particularly of FGM and forced/early marriage. I-Rep Foundation aims to eradicate FGM in the community. Chesang serves as its director.^[5][13]

References

1. Welle (www.dw.com), Deutsche. "Coronavirus pandemic leads to rise in FGM across Africa | DW | 29.10.2020". DW.COM. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
2. "Local heroes: Unsung women of Africa". BBC News. 9 January 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
3. "Domtila Chesang | Queen's Young Leaders". Retrieved 21 February 2021.
4. "Domtila Chesang: "Female Genital Mutilation is a violation of human rights not just women and girls' rights"". University of Minho. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
5. "About". Irep Foundation. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
6. Chow, Y. W.; Pietranico, R.; Mukerji, A. (27 October 1975). "WINNERS OF THE 2019 HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AWARDS ANNOUNCED « Defenders Coalition". Retrieved 21 February 2021.
7. "I witnessed FGM. That's why I know we need to talk about it | Domtila Chesang". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
8. Hodal, Kate (16 June 2020). "Why coronavirus has placed millions more girls at risk of FGM". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
9. Parsitau, Damaris Seleina (19 June 2018). "How outlawing female genital mutilation in Kenya has driven it underground and led to its medicalization". Brookings. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
10. "Friends united: pair who struck up an unlikely friendship in fight against FGM". The Guardian. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
11. "End FGM campaign | Society | The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
12. "The Guardian Global Media Campaign #EndFGMWhyWait". Hilary Burrage. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
13. Goody, Maria. "Is The Pandemic Causing A Surge In Female Genital Mutilation?". NPR.org. Retrieved 21 February 2021.