Short Film

Safe community for development

In the Siha district of Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region, a groundbreaking initiative has challenged the deeply rooted practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within the Maasai community. Spearheaded by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) in collaboration with The Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Community Organisation (KWIECO), the Safe Community for Development project is not just a fight against FGM; it’s a powerful movement for human rights and community empowerment.

FGM encompasses various procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. For many communities, including the Maasai, FGM is seen as a rite of passage that marks a girl’s transition into womanhood. However, this harmful practice poses significant health risks and leads to severe violations of the rights of women and girls.

The Siha district has been identified as a hotspot for FGM, where cultural norms have historically disregarded the well-being of women and girls. This project aimed to address these human rights violations through education and community engagement. It focused on raising awareness about the dangers of FGM and promoting human rights while engaging traditional leaders and Gharibas (women who perform FGM) to foster acceptance and support for change. By training 132 Gharibas, who lead other practitioners, to transition from practitioners to advocates, the project empowered them with entrepreneurship skills, allowing them to start small businesses and reduce their reliance on FGM as a source of income. This initiative reached over 300 women who have the potential to join the Gharibas, amplifying the impact across the community.

Clan leaders, who are respected as protectors of culture, became vital allies in this movement, lending their authority to advocate against FGM. Youth groups were mobilised as educators, establishing school human rights clubs that monitor and report instances of FGM, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard in the fight for change. Additionally, government support has played a crucial role, with some villages creating bylaws to protect women and children from gender-based violence (GBV).

The initiative has led to significant community transformation. Gharibas have emerged as advocates for change, challenging cultural norms surrounding FGM, and the success of the project has inspired neighbouring Maasai communities, promoting a broader cultural shift away from this harmful practice.

The Safe Community for Development project serves as a successful model of community engagement, education, and empowerment in the fight against FGM. By addressing the cultural roots of this practice through collaboration with clan leaders and providing alternative livelihoods for Gharibas, the project demonstrates a practical approach to safeguarding the health and well-being of women and girls.