some young people do not yet understand the importance of fully informed consent being a vital part of sexual relationships, hence they can be vulnerable to sexual exploitation, unplanned pregnancies and STIs. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

Online forums and peer support networks connect young people to safe, affirming communities especially for LGBTQ+ youth. #NAYAVOICES #IYD2025

Social media and digital communication tools are used by women's rights organizations and activists to raise awareness about gender inequality, mobilize support for their causes, and hold governments and corporations accountable. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

Technology can be used to create tools for reporting GBV, such as mobile apps that allow survivors to discreetly call for help, document incidents, and connect with support services. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

"FGM is our tradition” is a common pushback in the fight against FGM. But not all traditions are worth keeping, the harmful ones must end. Culture should protect, not harm, girls. NAYA Kenya UNICEF Child Protection UNICEF Kenya Shaheen Nilofer Jack Onyando, MSc. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

The fight against the harmful practice of FGM has gained tremendous milestone. While we celebrate this. There is more to be done. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

One thing that is hard to grow out of are cultural practices. Passed down over the years. Young girls feel obliged to go through FGM as the women before them. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

We try to educate the community on the harm FGM brings upon girls. But when young girls have been taught this from a very young age it becomes difficult to unlearn such matters. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

Many young girls will go through FGM due to peer pressure. The want to feel that they belong with their peers. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

Just as in the case of issues such as marriage, girls feel like they have to as a part of life. Even with the knowledge of the harm it causes. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

When women come out to say how painful it was, a suggestion is brought to “cut” them early. This makes detection and prevention harder. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

"FGM is part of becoming a woman” is used to justify FGM. Womanhood is about dignity, education, and health, not about enduring harmful cuts. NAYA Kenya UNICEF Child Protection UNICEF Kenya Shaheen Nilofer Jack Onyando, MSc. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

What are we to do then when the girl wants to go through FGM even against her parents wishes? #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

Passing down FGM because our ancestors did it is the same as saying we can go back to slavery. We end FGM just like we ended slavery because harm is harm. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025 NAYA Kenya

When leaders stay silent, they grant quiet permission for harm to continue. When FGM is pushed into hidden rooms, it becomes harder to protect and save lives. Real leadership means confronting the danger openly and ensuring laws are enforced. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025.

Inadequate survivor support services discourage reporting and healing. UNICEF Child Protection @UnicefKenya @ShaheenSNilofer @jackonyando @nayakenya #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

When elders say, “This is how we’ve always done it,” they overlook the generations of girls who have paid with their health, dignity, and futures. The weight of tradition should never rest on the bodies of children.#NAYAVoices #IYD2025.

Outdated cultural beliefs -like FGM reducing sexual urges or branding uncut girls as bad omens - fuel stigma, entrench harmful norms, and reverse the progress made towards ending the practice. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025 UNICEF Child Protection @UnicefKenya @ShaheenSNilofer Jack Onyando, MSc.

“FGM is just a small cut, it won’t harm her." FGM has lifelong physical, emotional & reproductive health consequences. NAYA Kenya UNICEF Child Protection UNICEF Kenya Shaheen Nilofer Jack Onyando, MSc. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025

Parents force girls to go through FGM because they don’t want to be different in the community. Th e family that thinks they are better for not “cutting “ their girls. #NAYAVoices #IYD2025