FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Documentary Highlights the Fight to End Female Genital Mutilation in Siha District

KILIMANJARO, TANZANIA, MARCH 8, 2025 – As the world celebrates  International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme  “Accelerate Action,” a groundbreaking documentary shines a light on the transformative efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Tanzania’s Siha District. The film, produced by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in collaboration with the Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Community Organisation (KWIECO), captures the powerful lived stories of former circumcisers, survivors, and community leaders who are driving change in the fight against this harmful practice.

The documentary, part of the “Safe Community for Development” project, delivers a powerful and unfiltered look at how education and economic empowerment are reshaping lives, demonstrating that lasting change is driven from within communities.

For generations, FGM was seen as an essential rite of passage among the Maasai in Kilimanjaro, believed to prepare girls for adulthood and marriage. However, the practice causes life-threatening complications and deep emotional trauma and severely limits young girls’ opportunities. The documentary follows the journey of women and girls who are breaking free from this tradition and the cultural leaders who are now advocating for its end.

One of the most impactful changes showcased in the film is the economic empowerment of former circumcisers, known as Ngaribas. Over 130 women who once performed FGM have been trained in business and financial management, allowing them to start small enterprises such as farming and trading livestock. With financial independence, they no longer feel pressured to continue the harmful practice.

Women’s economic empowerment has been a game-changer in shifting attitudes. Over 1,300 women are now part of 51 savings and investment groups, collectively generating TZS 107,580,000 annually. This income supports their families, proving that financial stability does not have to come at the expense of young girls’ futures.

The transformation in Siha District is not just about economic empowerment. Cultural and religious leaders, once among the strongest defenders of FGM, are now leading conversations against it. Elders who once arranged FGM ceremonies are speaking out on its dangers, and school-based Human Rights Clubs have been set up in 12 schools to educate students on their rights and encourage them to report gender-based violence.

In 2021, 240 out of 600 schoolgirls in Siha District reported undergoing FGM during school holidays. By 2024, that number had dropped to just 20, a clear sign that awareness and community action are making a real difference.

“Ending FGM requires a combination of education, economic empowerment, and strong community leadership. Through this initiative, we are seeing real change driven from within the communities themselves,” said Veni Swai, Senior Project Manager, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.

Beyond schools, the initiative has trained youth groups to act as community educators, spreading awareness in villages and encouraging open discussions. These efforts, along with government support, have led to stronger enforcement of anti-FGM laws, with some villages introducing bylaws that explicitly ban the practice.

The documentary serves as a powerful testimony to the progress made and the work still ahead. As communities take ownership of change, long-standing harmful traditions are being replaced with hope and opportunity.

“Real change happens when people within the community lead the movement,” Swai emphasised. “By accelerating action through education, advocacy, and economic alternatives, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls.”

As we mark International Women’s Day, the message is clear, accelerating action works. And when communities, organisations, and governments unite, a future free from FGM is possible.

Media Contact:

Veni Swai

Senior Project Manager, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Email: veni.swai@freiheit.org

Phone: +255 754 325 892