To: Moonray who wrote (7163 ) 10/21/1997 1:03:00 PM From: Glenn D. Rudolph Respond to
Alternative Rituals Raise Hope for Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation
PR Newswire - October 20, 1997 12:19
%HEA %MTC V%PRN P%PRN
SEATTLE, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Young African women facing ritual female
circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM) now have an alternative, due
to pioneering work by grassroots African organizations and PATH (Program for
Appropriate Technology in Health) a Seattle nonprofit.
The new direction is partly a result of meetings among Kenyan mothers two
years ago, seeking alternative ways to usher their daughters into womanhood.
The mothers hoped to save them from the painful and dangerous mutilating
operations widely performed on the external genitalia of young African women
as a rite of passage.
The local group calls itself "Ntanira na Mugambo" which loosely translates
as "circumcision through words." With support from their local community the
women have devised a new approach to initiation into womanhood that includes
song, education, celebration, and a week of seclusion.
The new "circumcision through words" ceremony was first performed in early
1996 for a small group, followed later that year by a larger ceremony for
50 young women and their families. On Aug. 15 of this year, an even larger
ceremony was held for 70 young women.
This transformation was preceded and supported by studies conducted in
1991 and 1992 by PATH and Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization (WYWO). The
latter is a Kenyan women's organization committed to improving the health and
welfare of Kenyan women. PATH develops health programs and technologies that
fit the economies and cultures of developing nations around the world.
The studies, in the Kenyan districts of Kisii, Meru, Narok and Samburu,
revealed the prevalence of female genital mutilation in these areas. These
practices are most widespread in Kisii, where more than 95 percent of young
women are circumcised by age 12. Female genital mutilation is practiced in
more than 50 percent of the districts in Kenya.
The new ceremonies were developed through a series of workshops conducted
by the communities and the women's organizations, with support from PATH. The
groups developed an array of new materials, including poems, skits, and songs,
as well as information sheets. The new ceremonies were first instituted in
the Tharaka Nithi district of central Kenya.
In August, the actual ceremony of initiation was preceded by a "week of
seclusion," which emulated the traditional healing period after circumcision.
The young women were accompanied by female mentors during this week, who
taught them skills they will need for their own families. Other community
trainers instructed the young women on issues such as sexually transmitted
diseases, relationships, and reproductive anatomy.
This period ended with a colorful ceremony attended by hundreds of
community members and leaders. Festivities included singing, dancing, and
dramatic presentations by the young women. The presentations included
messages such as "female circumcision is outdated in modern life. Young women
do not become mature by being cut, but by education."
The young women gave gifts and were showered with presents. They received
new clothes and feasted with the guests on traditional food commonly served at
circumcision ceremonies.
Support for these activities came from the Australian High Commission in
Nairobi, the Ford Foundation's Office for Eastern Africa, the Moriah Fund,
Population Action International (PAI)/Wallace Global Fund, Public Welfare
Foundation, and Save the Children - Canada.
MYWO has been working to eradicate female genital mutilation in Kenya
since 1990. MYWO reaches out to communities in various districts of Kenya.
PATH is an international, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve
the health of women and children. Since 1977, PATH has implemented more than
800 health and family planning projects in 85 countries.
PATH has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a
Collaborating Center on AIDS, Research in Human Reproduction, and Hepatitis B
Vaccination. PATH is headquartered in Seattle, WA (USA) and has offices in
Jakarta and Lombok, Bangkok, Hanoi, Manila, Nairobi, Kiev, and Washington,
D.C.
SOURCE Program for Appropriate Technology in Health
/NOTE TO EDITORS: Videotapes of the August 1996 and December 1996
ceremonies (entitled "Rite of Passage") are available as is footage from the
1997 ceremony from which a 40-minute documentary will be produced./
/CONTACT: Helen Georges of Program for Appropriate Technology in Health,
206-285-3500, or hgeorges@path.org/
