Through Integrated ARP and WASH project in Kilindi, Amref Health Africa in Kilindi contribute a lot to educate Maasai elders who believes that curse will follow those who did not undergo FGM.
Sawasawa Lopejo a Maasai elderly leader overseeing Maasai communities in seven regions in Tanzania says “We believe that a girl who is not cut is a source of bad luck in the family, for example if a girl/woman who is not cut gets pregnant, was chased her away from home, because none of the family members want to be a partaker of the bad luck because of her”
“Hence as a leader (Legwanani) of all the Maasai in all seven regions which are Tanga, Pwani, Mbeya, Morogoro, Iringa, Dodoma and Manyara we decided to denounce the curse for those who did not undergo FGM, from today we sign a declaration to end FGM in our communities”.
To Dr Jane this is a symbol of victory for the project and the girls in Kilindi, she said that from that statement of the leaders, now men are free to marry uncut women because the curse has been lifted.
Interestingly we are glad that this will inspire girls to stay in school because FGM was a precursor to early marriages. Despite the success of Integrated ARP and WASH Project in Kilindi among the Maasai communities, the problem of FGM is still prevailing in other tribes across Tanzania, Dr Jane says Amref Health Africa in Tanzania has worked with the government to develop and soon launch the National Anti-FGM strategy to scale up the end FGM movement country wide.
