International Women's Day
A Safe Society for Development: The Fight Against FGM in Tanzania
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a significant human rights violation in Tanzania, despite legal frameworks prohibiting the practice. The Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act of 1998 criminalized FGM for girls under 18, yet cultural traditions, particularly within the Maasai community, have kept the practice alive. The devastating consequences of FGM include chronic pain, childbirth complications, and severe psychological distress.
Against this backdrop, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and its partner, the Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Consultancy Organization (KWEICO), recently concluded a four-year project titled “A Safe Society for Development”. This project, based in the Karansi and Donyomurwa wards of the Siha district, sought to enable women’s public participation by reducing FGM prevalence, engaging key community stakeholders and introducing alternative economic opportunities for those who once relied on FGM as a source of income.
Given the successful impact of the project and in order to cement its sustainability across the district, FNF is launching similar initiatives in other wards to eradicate FGM and transform the livelihoods of all FGM practitioners across the Siha district.
Empowering Women and Transforming Communities
At the heart of this initiative was the empowerment of local women and the mobilization of key community figures. Recognizing that sustainable change requires the buy-in of those most deeply embedded in cultural traditions, FNF and KWEICO strategically engaged traditional Maasai elders, religious leaders, women, and youth to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM.
Traditional elders, known as Lagwanan, were targeted as primary change agents. As respected leaders, their endorsement of anti-FGM messages ensured the community’s gradual shift in attitude. The project targeted 132 elders with intensive education programs on the legal consequences and health risks of FGM. By the end of these sessions, many elders not only pledged to abandon the practice but also committed to educating their communities. Maasai tribal leader Allen Laiza stated:
"We as traditional leaders have accepted this, and given permission to use all venues, such as places of worship and public gatherings, for elders to decry this practice. This is the end of FGM because we have joined hands with the government to ensure this doesn’t happen in our communities."
"We began to speak openly about FGM in our village meetings. In our traditional ceremonies, we gave this education, reaching a large number of people and giving women and girls confidence," said Moses Mollel, a Maasai Tribal Leader.
Equally crucial was the economic empowerment of former FGM practitioners, the ngaribas, who depended on the practice for their livelihoods. By providing more than 120 of them with entrepreneurship training and small business support, FNF and KWEICO enabled them to transition to alternative sources of income.
"We took the initiative to create groups to prevent us from going back to FGM. We started a maize business and now work together knowing that what we are doing is legal," shared Angela Mollel, a former FGM practitioner turned entrepreneur.
The project also targeted youth and schools, fostering a new generation of change-makers. Village youth leaders led awareness campaigns, and school-based human rights clubs educated children on gender-based violence.
"We toured the community and made it clear that we, the youth, are ready to marry women who have not undergone FGM," stated Daniel Tajiri, an educator and village chairman in Donyomurwa.
The Role of NGOs in Driving Change
The success of this initiative underscores the importance of NGO intervention in driving grassroots change. Capacity-building efforts extended beyond direct community engagement to training local advocates. One such initiative saw an employee of KWEICO sent to France to specialize in human rights training, equipping them with the skills to spearhead local interventions.
"For us at FNF, it is important to reach down to the community base. We shouldn’t just sit working on policies but ensure they are solid and raise awareness so that communities become the guardians and good ambassadors for human rights," Veni Swai, FNF Program Manager in Tanzania, emphasized.
Moreover, partnerships with religious leaders and healthcare providers ensured that anti-FGM education was integrated into various facets of community life. Traditional midwives, like Suzana Lekoko, played a critical role:
"Now, if we see someone practicing FGM, we inform our traditional elders and the government. We will continue educating mothers who we attend."
Economic Empowerment: A Path to Sustainable Change
A major factor sustaining FGM in these communities was its role as an economic activity. Recognizing this, the project placed strong emphasis on providing alternative sources of income for women. A total of 52 women’s groups were established, encompassing 1,300 members who collectively saved 172 million Tanzanian shillings.
Women were trained in business skills, financial management, and cooperative savings. The applied model of self-sustaining community savings and microfinance groups was successful in improving the livelihoods of their members. Aveline Laitayo shared her success:
"I borrowed 300,000 shillings, bought two goats, and both gave birth. Now I can do business at the market, and from the profit, I am able to buy groceries for my family, afford soap and school fees for my children. My husband respects me more because I contribute financially."
Self-managed groups have also grown to accept members beyond the scope of the project, and continue to operate after the end of the project.
This economic transformation goes beyond mere numbers. It has become a catalyst for change in their communities. These women have become advocates for human rights, especially in areas like economic, social, and cultural rights. Their voices, once subdued, now echo through the villages, demanding equality and justice for all.
The story of these women is not just a success story; it is a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and equitable future. Through their courage, determination, and unwavering spirit, they are not just changing their lives; they are changing the world around them –step by step.
International Women’s Day: A Call to Action
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the achievements of the “A Safe Society for Development” project highlight the power of collective action in advancing women's rights. The transformation of former FGM practitioners into businesswomen, the shift in cultural norms among traditional elders, and the increased agency of young girls are testaments to what is possible when communities and organizations join forces.
"There is nothing nicer than building the capacity of someone to be able to alter negative ideas, which prevented them from contributing to development," remarked Marco Masue, head of the community development department in Siha District.
The success of the initiatives in Siha District serves as a powerful testament to the impact of education and community engagement in combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This model not only demonstrates significant behavioral change but also presents a crucial opportunity for replication in neighboring communities that have historically harbored persons intent on continuing this harmful practice. By extending these efforts, we can mitigate the risks posed by unaddressed harmful traditions in these areas, fostering a united front against FGM. Engaging these communities will not only amplify the positive outcomes seen in Siha District but also contribute to a broader cultural transformation, ensuring that women and girls are empowered and protected from such practices.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the courage of the women, men, and youth who have stood up against FGM. Their stories inspire a future where girls and women can live free from harm, fully empowered to shape their destinies. The fight is far from over, but together, we move closer to a world where every woman’s right to safety, dignity, and economic independence is upheld.