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Working with the Maasai Communities

Working with the Maasai Communities. Judith Kunyiha–Karogo UNFPA Kenya Country Office. Presentation Outline. Introduction Achievements Lessons learned Challenges Way forward. Introduction. Tasaru Ntomonok Initiative (TNI)

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Working with the Maasai Communities

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  1. Working with the Maasai Communities Judith Kunyiha–Karogo UNFPA Kenya Country Office Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  2. Presentation Outline • Introduction • Achievements • Lessons learned • Challenges • Way forward Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  3. Introduction Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  4. Tasaru Ntomonok Initiative (TNI) Samburu Aid in Africa (SAIDIA) and Catholic Diocese of Maralal (CDM) Catholic Diocese of Nakuru (CDN) Maasai, Narok District Samburu, Samburu District Njemps, Baringo District Geographic coverage & Partners Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  5. Methodologies Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  6. Three methodologies in use • Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) • Rescue Centre/Safety Net • Community Sensitisation and Mobilisation Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  7. Alternative Rites of Passage • Designed by community to make process culturally acceptable • Acknowledges and celebrates rite of passage into womanhood • Embraces positive cultural education and eliminates harmful practice of “cut” Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  8. Celebration!! Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  9. Rescue Centre/Safety Net • Safety house for 60 girls escaping FGM/C • Girls “recruited” into safety house by referral through Children Protection Desk if they have run away or have been rescue by TNI staff • TNI ensures continued education and enrols girls into nearby boarding schools Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  10. Community Sensitisation & Mobilisation • Method used by Catholic Diocese of Nakuru (CDN) among the Njemps • Community discussion on the harmful effects of FGM/C held targeting: • Young people • Elders • Women • Men Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  11. Lessons Learned Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  12. Community “buy in” critical • Sensitisation and mobilisation of communities on harmful effects of FGM/C and laws • Sensitivity to cultural issues • Collaborating with govt. officials • Sensitisation of law enforcers and local administrative officers Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  13. Challenges Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  14. Cultural “Baggage” • Abandoned children born to uncircumcised mothers • Uncircumcised girls not “marriage material” Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  15. Rescue Centres • Expensive to sustain • Girls separated from community and family indefinitely • Reconciliation process long • Reintegration of girls back into their community and families • Security not always guaranteed Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  16. Geographic Coverage • Rugged terrain • Vast areas to be covered • Sparsely distributed populations Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  17. Legislation and Law Enforcement • Law protects ONLY girls below 18 years of age • Cases where girls wait until 18th birthday to undergo practice • Enforcement of law dependent on community reporting cases • Local administrative officials not aware or unwilling to convict offences Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  18. Way Forward Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  19. Review of legislation to address: • Protection of women 18 years of age and above • Mechanism for providing rescue houses/safety nets for girls escaping practice • Increased male involvement especially young men to demand uncircumcised brides Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

  20. Asanteni Sana Global Consultation of FGM/C, Addis Ababa, 29 July - 03 August 2007

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