FGM AND THE ALTERNATIVE RITES OF PASSAGE
A time to celebrate
Female Genital Mutilation (so-called 'circumcision') has historically been very prevalent in this conservative tribal area. In their tribal culture it is regarded as a Major Rite of Passage - the ritual transition from childhood to adulthood, for boys and girls, aged between 12 to 16.
For young girls it is a traumatic and grieviously wounding procedure, carried out with no anaesthetic, no antiseptics, no pain killers, in extremely unhygienic and primitive conditions. They are expected to bear the pain as a sign of strength required to become a woman. They then face early, arranged marriages, early pregnancy, often with complications and little chance of a secondary education - their horizons are closed down.
After 12 years of campaigning and education programmes, FGM has declined to the point of being eliminated in the local area, thanks to tireless education of this program. Around 2,200 number girls have completed the Alternative Rite of Passage. Leaders in the community and their networks continue to be vigilant for any intelligence received.
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