Effects of drought on girls in Kajiado county

A study released by World Weather Attribution in April 2023 detailed how five consecutive seasons of rainfall below normal levels in the Horn of Africa have resulted in decreased availability of surface water, deteriorating pasture, leading to livestock loss and widespread harvest failure, leaving millions in need of humanitarian assistance.

The repercussions of these prolonged droughts in Kajiado have been catastrophic. News coverage in June 2024 reported how over one million cattle, goats, and sheep had died of hunger, with 400,000 households on the brink of starvation and dependent on food aid for survival.

Samuel Nkitoria is a program officer at Hope Beyond Foundation, a Kenyan NGO that promotes the rights of women and girls in Kajiado County through education, advocacy, and rescuing those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Samuel explained how the daily challenge of accessing water and other essential resources is putting girls at a greater risk of human rights violations.

How have families and in particular girls in Kajiado County been affected by the prolonged droughts.

Families in Kajiado County face severe consequences from prolonged drought, such as many cattle dying due to limited access to water and animal pasture. This exacerbates poverty, affecting the ability of families to meet basic needs. The main food to most families was usually milk. When it comes to such difficult circumstances, families halt the education process of their children, especially girls. In extreme conditions, families resort back to prioritizing immediate survival over education.

Unfortunately, girls may be withdrawn from school to help with most domestic responsibilities or contribute to the family’s source of income.

Extreme weather changes lead to economic hardships, prompting families to develop coping mechanisms. Poverty is a great motivator of early marriage, and in dire circumstances, families may see it as a way to reduce economic burden.

In the past few years, and especially just before the rains in this year, it is estimated that over 80% of cattle died.

In a bid to recoup livestock lost during drought, some families have married off their daughters in exchange for cattle and to earn money.

Some girls have dropped out of schools due to hunger, especially from schools in the most interior and remote locations where food programs are not available. At home, they may be exposed to increased health risks and heightened vulnerability to harmful practices as they get sent long distances in search of water and pasture for cattle.

Climate change can also indirectly contribute to the practice of FGM. Culturally, education for the girl in the Maasai community was never a priority, and this has perpetuated the ideology of early marriage after a girl has undergone the cut. Drought results in economic hardships, and families opt to cut their girls so that they can be ready for marriage.

Cutters carry out FGM as a way of earning an income in the wake of the hardships brought about by climate change. Some of these cutters will influence parents to cut their girls at a fee ranging from KSh. 500 upwards. This is approximately $3.25 USD / £2.60 GBP, while citing that the girl will be ready for marriage. This triggers some families to capitalize because they are looking for a livelihood.

What is Hope Beyond Foundation doing to help girls? Education for girls has come about through a lot of advocacy and awareness creation. Although there has been positive change, there is still quite a large number of people in the community who believe once a girl gets to a certain age or has reached a certain class in school, they are ripe for marriage.

Hope Beyond Foundation has embarked on empowerment training with different women's groups in our locality. They provide a business perspective and teach them about diversifying to beadwork as a business. Some women have of course taken the art of beadwork to ensure that even in the wake of climatic changes, they still can earn an income to sustain their families, hence keeping girls safe.

Hope Beyond runs a rescue centre and school, which have been instrumental in providing a safe space for girls who have been rescued after the fact or are at risk of undergoing harmful practices.

In addition to that, the organization has a strong partnership with the relevant government authorities to ensure the perpetrators of the cultural vices are apprehended and also provide psychological counseling to victims. This has helped us have our ears on the ground and offer quick responses to help girls in danger.

Hope Beyond Foundation’s message to the international community and people about the urgent need to take action to address climate change.

Hope Beyond Foundation urges the international community to recognize the urgent link between climate change, gender-based violence, and any other harmful practices. The organization stresses the need for collaborative efforts to implement sustainable solutions, support vulnerable communities, and promote policies addressing both climate change and the associated socio-cultural challenges.

It is also very important to ensure resources trickle down to the grassroots organizations that are directly impacting the community through different initiatives. They are the people on the ground, and they understand what works and what doesn’t in the community. Immediate and direct action is crucial to protect the rights and well-being of girls in the face of climate-induced hardships.