In the latest episode of Let’s Talk Human Rights podcast. Host Masechaba Mdaka is joined by Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, a Kenyan human rights activist advocating for an alternative right of passage or ARP for girls in Africa and campaigning to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

According to the February 2022 United Nations Population Fund statistics on FGM, 14 African countries, predominantly in the west, east and horn of Africa regions still practice FGM.

As part of aspiration six priority 51 of the African Union Agenda 2063, it aims to eliminate all forms of gender based violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Political leaders are playing their own critical part. The African Union has appointed the President of Burkina Faso, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, as the champion for the elimination of FGM and launched the Salima Initiative in 2019.

What has made this practice necessary? Listen in to find out more.