CLARP 2026: Bringing Communities Together to Champion a Future Free from FGM

Protecting children and promoting positive cultural transformation require collective action, community ownership and meaningful engagement across generations.

Through the Community-Led Alternative Rite of Passage (CLARP) programme, The Maa Trust works with young people, families, cultural leaders and government stakeholders to promote the abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage and other harmful practices while preserving positive Maasai cultural values.

Empowering Young People Through Community-Led Learning

The 2026 Community-Led Alternative Rite of Passage residential training at Sekenani Comprehensive School in Siana Ward, Narok County, marked another important milestone in community efforts to protect children and promote safer transitions into adulthood.

The four-day training brought together 300 young adolescents, comprising 230 girls and 70 boys, from 15 villages, alongside mothers and elders representing parents and the wider community.

Their participation reinforced the understanding that ending FGM is a shared responsibility that requires the involvement of every generation.

Through interactive discussions, storytelling, role plays, mentorship and practical exercises, participants explored key topics including child rights, safeguarding, the health and social consequences of FGM, adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR), leadership and life skills.

A key focus was helping young people understand that abandoning harmful practices does not mean abandoning Maasai culture. Instead, CLARP promotes the preservation of positive cultural values such as respect, responsibility, identity and community while encouraging safer and more dignified ways of transitioning into adulthood.

Engaging Boys, Mothers and Elders in Positive Change

The inclusion of boys was particularly significant. They were encouraged to become allies in protecting girls' rights, challenging harmful beliefs and promoting positive masculinity within their families and peer groups.

Mothers and elders also played an important role in strengthening intergenerational dialogue and community ownership, creating opportunities for families to reflect on cultural practices and the importance of protecting children.

The training culminated in a community-led graduation ceremony, providing an opportunity for participants to celebrate their learning and demonstrate their commitment to positive cultural transformation.

Through creative expressions, including songs, poems and drama, the young people shared messages on child protection, the abandonment of FGM and the importance of preserving positive cultural values.

Building Community and Institutional Commitment

The graduation brought together implementing partners in Narok West, local administration led by the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) and chiefs, village elders from 15 villages, cultural leaders led by the Supreme Maasai Cultural Leaders of East Africa, religious leaders and government representatives from the Departments of Education, Gender and Health.

Their participation reinforced the collective responsibility of communities and institutions in supporting young people to transition into adulthood while promoting the abandonment of harmful practices.

Building on the Progress of Previous Cohorts

The Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) programme has grown steadily since its inception in 2022.

The first cohort graduated 73 girls in Ilbaan, followed by 140 girls in Mararianda in 2023 and 262 girls in Endoinyo Erinka in 2024.

In 2025, the programme expanded to include boys, with 200 girls and 60 boys graduating in Enarau.

This brings the cumulative number of graduates between 2022 and 2025 to 735, comprising 675 girls and 60 boys. In 2026, the programme continued building on this inclusive approach, reaching 300 adolescents through the Sekenani residential training.

Beyond the training and graduation, CLARP seeks to equip young people with the confidence, knowledge and leadership skills to influence positive change in their communities.

Sustaining progress against FGM and other harmful practices requires continued engagement beyond residential training and graduation.

The Maa Trust will continue working with families, cultural leaders, local administration, government agencies and community partners to strengthen awareness, promote child protection and support community-led action.

Ultimately, the Sekenani experience reinforced a powerful message: protecting children and ending FGM is not an external campaign but a collective responsibility and a community-led commitment to positive cultural transformation.

Looking Ahead

Sustaining progress against FGM and other harmful practices requires continued engagement beyond residential training and graduation.

The Maa Trust will continue working with families, cultural leaders, local administration, government agencies and community partners to strengthen awareness, promote child protection and support community-led action.

Ultimately, the Sekenani experience reinforced a powerful message: protecting children and ending FGM is not an external campaign but a collective responsibility and a community-led commitment to positive cultural transformation.