Kenyan woman honoured by UNhonoured by UN

NAIROBI--The United Nations in Kenya has commemorated the organization’s 60th anniversary by honouring a Kenyan activist for her efforts to save girls from Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and under-age marriage in a community where such practices are deeply rooted.
Agnes Pareyio, of Narok District, was chosen as the United Nations in Kenya Person of the Year for her contributions to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In his message on UN Day, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said: “Today, as we celebrate sixty years of our United Nations, we must recognize that the world today is very different from that of our founders.
Ms. Pareyio, coordinator of Tasaru Ntomonok Initiative (TNI), a Community Based Organization in Narok District, has been doing her part. She is facilitating the design of sustainable mechanisms for eliminating FGM, providing rehabilitation for victims of FGM and sensitizing and mobilizing religious and community leaders to advocate for the elimination of FGM.
In recognition of her efforts, Mr. Klaus Toepfer, Director-General of the UN offices at Nairobi (UNON) and Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP),presented Ms. Pareyio with a commemorative plaque.

This year’s runner-up was Ms. Khadija Omar Rama, who has started an NGO to assist HIV AIDS victims in Isiolo District .
This is the fourth time the UN family has collectively honoured an individual as par of its celebrations of UN Day, which is held every year on 24 October.