As efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) are intensifying in the country, 836 young people– 634 girls and 202 boys from Tarime and Loliondo districts, have gone through alternative rites of passage training. The young people were awarded certificates of merit during a graduation ceremony organized by Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent De Paul on Monday 5th January 2015 and officiated by Minister of Labour and Employment, Hon. Gaudensia Kabaka.
The one-month training which was conducted at Masanga Centre for girls and Sirari district for boys, aimed at ensuring that the young people receive rites of passage that are beneficial rather than harmful for them; helping girls to avoid mutilation and boys from being circumcised the dangerous non-medical traditional way.
Speaking at the graduates at the ceremony, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Alvaro Rodriguez said, “Girls and boys, you are the vessels and voices of change. Change in your own lives, change for future generations of young people here in Mara region and Tanzania and the world over. You have stood up against harmful traditional practices, and by doing so, you have supported the ability of others to do the same after you. I applaud you for your courage and commend you on your choice.”
Through the support of UNFPA and others the Terminate Female Genital Mutilation (TFGM) programme has been able to protect many girls in Mara region from being mutilated. Over the period of seven years; 2001 girls have passed through the alternative rites of passage. These girls have been saved from child marriage, teenage pregnancy, forced female genital mutilation and aborted education.
“FGM is a harmful traditional practice that results in significant health problems for women and girls and violates their human rights,” said Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Country Representative. “FGM is deeply entrenched in the traditional practices of the community and often protected by local leaders. It is good that here in Mara region, the efforts for its eradication should be directed on and led by the communities to create the needed change,” emphasized Dr. Kanem.
This year will mark six years since the Masanga centre has organized similar alternative rites of passage trainings and graduation ceremonies in Mara region. Twelve former traditional cutters (ngaribas) were present to give testimony during the ceremony.
FGM is being practiced variably in Tanzania and it is mostly predominant in Manyara 71%, Dodoma 64%, Arusha 57%, Singida 51% and Mara 40%. “Nothing justifies the continued practice of FGM, it is an obstacle to attainment of the health, development and human rights goal not only for girls and women but also for all members of society; In the 21st century, no woman or girl should undergo FGM, suffer or die due to it. Addressing the persistent inequalities that negatively affect women's and girl's health and well-being is the UN’s unfinished business.” concludes Dr. Kanem.
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