Honouring Culture, Protecting Girls: Empowering the Next Generation in Kenya.

We bridge traditional community wisdom with modern safeguarding, replacing the cut with vibrant, safe celebrations of womanhood and long-term educational support.

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Cath Holland, Beyond FGM charity advocate.

Sustain healthy culture.
Celebrate change in the future.

Tradition can be a source of belonging.
It should never come at the cost of a girl's health.

THE HARM WE WORK TO END

The realities of FGM

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines female genital mutilation (FGM) as any non-medical procedure that injures or removes external female genitalia. Enforced as a rite of passage for marriage to an older man not of her choosing, its lasting harm is well understood by Cath and her colleagues, who focus heavily on prevention.

Severe form of gender based violence.
Pain, fatal infections: A high risk of severe infection, long-term physical complications can ultimately lead to death.
Lifelong increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth.
Severe Psychological Trauma: Intense fear, shock anxiety, and profound terror during and after the procedure can affect a girl's wellbeing for life.

Compassionate education. No judgement. Sustain culture.

A SAFER WAY TO CELEBRATE

Alternative rites of passage

Growing up can be celebrated without the cut. Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) preserve the meaning of Pokot identity while keeping girls safe and whole.

Transmits Indigenous Wisdom: Community elders male and female pass down sacred ancestral knowledge, celebrating a dignified transition into womanhood.
Prioritizes Education over Harm: Local families choose long-term schooling, securing a thriving future for their daughters.
Breaks Generational Cycles: Grassroots action stops the cutting tradition, builds allies, guaranteeing a safe, healthy future for childbirth for mothers and newborns.
Honours Heritage Safely: Communities can preserve their culture and receive traditional blessings through alternative ceremonies using song, dance, traditional dress, and beaded jewellery without physical cutting.

Celebrate womanhood. Protect girls. Keep the heritage alive.

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ABOUT FGM CHARITY

Protection for a shared purpose.

Real change begins with the people who call a place home. The work with Beyond FGM brings together the experience of Cathleen Holland and the local community to encourage knowledge and advocacy for girls.

Teaching midwifery in West Pokot

Following a two year teaching midwifery in West Pokot. Where Cath face to face with the practice of FGM and all of the problems the practice caused to young woman and girls. With her two female colleagues Miriam Lopus and Rhoda Lodio, they decided to support grass roots change with this centuries old cruel and barbaric practice.

2009 — Kepsteno Rotwo

Cath in 2009 set up a self help group, starting with the premise the community can change itself instead of ‘trying to change the community’. The self help community group in West Pokot the group was named Kepsteno Rotwo in Pokot language means ‘Abandon the Knife’.

2010 — The first alternative rite of passage

The Kepsteno Rotwo group mobilised the community to hold the first alternative right of passage (ARP) ceremony in 2010 with elders, allies, mothers and girls. This is the subject of the guardian film I will never be cut. This showcases the work supported Cath Holland’s Registered Charity Beyond FGM founded in 2010, by bringing the campaign out to remote villagers where FGM prevalence remains high to date. Watch the film.

Working in partnership

Beyond FGM work alongside The Centre for Indigenous Child Rights (CICR), together they are in partnership and actively hold regular meetings, workshops, educational sessions.

In Pokot