PREVENTION OF FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN TANZANIA

Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa (IHSA) in collaboration with Jipe Moyo Center, Evangelizing Sisters of Mary (Nyamongo Parish), Holy Spirit sisters (Mugumu Parish), Rosana sisters (IHSA-Convent), Baraki Sisters Farm and Local Government of Tanzania, successfully reached 3,537 children (1,573 boys and 1,964 girls) as direct beneficiaries, together with 401 indirect beneficiaries, through awareness-raising sessions on the health risks and harmful consequences of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), children’s rights, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health. The Intervation was implemented in 54 schools (33 primary and 21 secondary schools) across Tarime, Serengeti, Butiama and Rorya Districts in Mara Region.

The sensitization activities significantly strengthened children’s knowledge and understanding of health, social and human rights consequences of FGM. Increased awareness also contributed to improve reporting of protection concerns, with students reporting FGM-related cases. All reported cases were addressed in accordance with established procedures and national laws.

A key factor contributed to this achievement was the establishment of 54 child protection and safety desks within the targeted schools, 772 children were reached as pee educators in schools, in line with national guidelines. these desks provided safe and accessible spaces where children could seek information, disclose concerns and report cases of FGM and other child protection violations. 112 artistic performances including songs, poems, dramas and other creative presentations, were developed and used to communicate anti-FGM messages in an engaging and child friendly manner. These approaches encouraged dialogue among students, teachers, parents, community members and other stakeholders, while contributing to challenging harmful social norms and practices.

The project strengthened the knowledge, capacity, and commitment of 62 government and local leaders from Tarime, Rorya, Serengeti and Butiama districts in Mara Region. The participants included 1 Ward Executive  officers, 38 village Executive officers, 6 District social Welfare Officers, and 6 District Community Development Officers.

In collaboration with district authorities, the project conducted sensitization through dialogue sessions on the health risks, human rights implications and harmful consequences of FGM. The sessions also emphasized the importance of promoting alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) as a result, leaders increasingly incorporated these issues into village assemblies, ward meeting and other community forums, creating regular opportunities to raise awareness, challenge harmful social norms and promote the protection of girls and women.

A significant outcome of this engagement was the issuance of 17 public statements and commitments by government and local leaders opposing FGM. These commitments demonstrated increased leadership ownership and strengthened the visibility of FGM prevention within local government and community development priorities.

The leadership engagement model has strong potential for replication and scale up because it builds on existing local government structures and community dialogue platforms rather than creating parallel systems. The same dialogue and advocacy approach can be extended to additional ward and district level leaders, enabling broader institutional ownership and sustained action against FGM.

In partnership with government authorities and local child protection actors, the project identified and rescued 247 girls who were at high risk of FGM. The girls were provided with temporary safe shelter and protection at Jipe Moyo Centre, where they received comprehensive support to ensure their safety, recovery, protection and empowerment. They were also supported through alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) as safe and empowering alternative to FGM.

While at the center, the girls received counselling, psychosocial support, life skills education and information on their rights and protection from harmful practices. These  interventions contributed to improved emotional well-being, self-confidence, resilience and awareness of their rights. The ARP approach further provided an opportunity for the girls to transition safely while reinforcing positive values and rejecting harmful practices. 

To strengthen their long-term resilience and economic independency, 87 were also trained and taken through an alternative rite of passage including being enrolled into vocational skills such as tailoring trainings and cookery course, where they acquired practical and market-oriented skills to enhance their future livelihood opportunities and reduce their vulnerability to harmful practices.

The project also facilitated family assessment and reintegration processes involving parents, guardians, community leaders, social welfare officers and other relevant child protection stakeholders. Girls were safely reintegrated into their families under agreed protection, monitoring and follow-up arrangements.

This achievement was made possible through the establishment of a structured and coordinated protection pathway linking identification and rescue, immediate protection, recovery, empowerment, alternative Rites of passage, and safe reintegration. Strong collaboration with government child protection procedures enabled the project to identify girls at risk, facilitate timely referrals and coordinate appropriate protection and case management services.