Practice title:Â Â Traditional leaders support women to end harmful customs
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Country:Â Â Senegal
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Domain:Â Â Health Nutrition & Population
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Technology:Â Â Self-help
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Bearers of Knowledge:Â Bambara Women Groups
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Summary:Â In June 1997 the women of Malicounda, Senegal attended a non-formal education program led by TOSTAN, a local NGO. Inspired by the training, they decided to abandon the practice of female genital cutting. They convinced the village council to abolish the practice officially. Not satisfied with this result, they launched a locally impelled movement. They created a team (including a few of their husbands) to visit neighboring villages. They spoke to women there and helped them win the support of their communities. The women also convinced the traditional leaders, including the Imam of Malicounda, to support their agenda and became involved actively as change agents. In January 1998, in the "Declaration of Malicounda" a congress of 18 village leaders from the region committed to abandon the practice. Soon after, President Abdou Diouf of Senegal endorsed the "Oath of Malicounda" as a model for national adoption. As of March 2001, this grass roots movement had spread to more than 200 communities nationwide and several other communities in other countries as well.
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Lesson:Â Traditional leaders and women's group working together is an efficient way to end harmful cultural practices.
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Source:Â IK-Notes No. 3
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Email: Â pmohan@worldbank.orgÂ
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| URL:Â IK-Notes No. 3 (and separate link for IK Notes 31 |
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