Murua Girl Child Education Program (MGC) is a nongovernmental organization based in Kenya which works among Indigenous pastoralist communities. The organization is focused on increasing girls’ access to education, ending harmful social norms, and supporting women-led climate action. Established in January 2018, it has reached more than 15,000 girls with programs that provide mentorship, education support, and training on topics such as menstrual health management. It has also led and supported initiatives to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancies in the communities it serves, in addition to advocating to end female genital mutilation (FGM).
In pastoralist communities across Kenya, stark gendered disparities persist and marginalize adolescent girls. Harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage are common and often contribute to high rates of school dropouts among adolescent girls. Furthermore, the effects of climate change have exacerbated disruptions to girls’ education, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as the Narok county where MGC implements many of its programs. MGC is working to change these realities for girls, paving the path for a brighter future.
With support from The Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, MGC will implement an education project in ten schools which focus on foundational skills such as reading, math, and writing. The organization will utilize storybooks, games, and other activities to improve education outcomes for girls while building their self-esteem and confidence. Girls will also have the opportunity to participate in activities such as robotics to encourage them to explore science, technology, engineering, and math subjects. Furthermore, girls will receive menstrual health products to remove a significant barrier which often prevents them from attending school. Finally, MCG will create four mentorship camps for girls who are at a risk for FGM and child marriage, working to protect girls from harmful practices which interfere with their education.
MGC expects to support approximately 5,000 girls through its project. The organization aims to improve girls’ numeracy and literacy levels, school retention, as well as reintegration for girls who are out of school due to factors such as early pregnancies and marriages. As an end goal, MGC hopes to build girls’ sense of self and their ability to advocate for themselves and their rights, recognizing that every girl deserves the opportunity to define her own future.
To learn more about MGC, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
See more projects: Africa, Child Marriage, Education, STEM