Five Kisumu Girls High school students shortlisted for International award

Five high school girls behind the I-cut app that helps fight Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) have been shortlisted for the International Sakharov Prize of 2019.

The students, Stacy Owino, Cynthia Otieno, Purity Achieng, Mascrine Atieno and Ivy Akinyi refer to themselves as ‘The Restorers’.

According to the students, the app was meant to help restore hope to girls affected by FGM.

The I–Cut app helps FGM victims to gain legal and health advice after or before they are involved in the vice.

The prize is awarded to the winners at the European Parliament’s Strasbourg hemicycle (round chamber) in December.

“It will be awarded in a ceremony in Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg on December 18,” read a statement by the Press and Information Officer of the Delegation of the European Union to Kenya.

The prize is awarded every year to exceptional individuals and organisations that defend human rights and freedom of thought.

Former recipients of the awards include former South African President Nelson Mandela and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan.