From advocacy to action – tackling harmful traditional practices in rural Uganda.
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Hi John,
It’s been one year since 584 of you generously supported our project with the National Association of Women’s Organizations in Uganda (NAWOU) as part of the Big Give Christmas Challenge.
The project focused on changing attitudes towards Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within the Kween district in Eastern Uganda.
Utilising funds donated by Womankind supporters NAWOU is now reaching rural and hard-to-access communities with some of the highest rates of FGM in Uganda. FGM was outlawed in Uganda since 2010 but this is often not known in more isolated communities.
I am delighted to share some of the successes of the project in its first few months;
* Women and girls who reject FGM are often discriminated against by their families and/or their community. It’s crucial that they can earn an independent income to continue living life on their own terms. This project brought 222 women and girls together to form Savings and Loans Associations that provide a vital financial safety net for each other.
* Broadcast children’s radio talk show featuring peer-to-peer conversations on respecting the rights of women and girls.
* Intervened with families of girls at risk and facilitated conversations on the dangers of FGM and the laws surrounding it.
* Supported 8 girls, who had rejected FGM, to stay in school and continue their education.
* Launched a joint advocacy initiative by Members of Parliament, local government officials, community leaders, and activists all publicly calling for an end to FGM.
This has all been made possible thanks to the support of Womankind supporters in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. NAWOU has tackled social norms that harm women and girls and strengthened the movement publicly calling for change.
“The formation of the saving group of the women and girls in my community gave me a sense of belonging, built my confidence and esteem. [It] eased access to finances where I borrowed 150,000 [ugandan shillings] (£32) that enabled me start a business and now with a source of livelihood.”
- Annet, saving group member
The next stage of the project will see NAWOU bring communities together to agree on an alternative rite of passage for girls. The hope is that a new, less harmful, rite of passage ceremony could be found to replace FGM as an important milestone in a girl’s life.
We’re positive that the benefits of NAWOU’s work on raising awareness of the harm of FGM will be felt in the Kween district for many years to come.
A huge thank you to the 584 supporters who made this project possible.
With best wishes,
Hannah Little
Supporter Care Team
Womankind Worldwide
Big Give 2023 - launches next Tuesday!
This year we’re aiming to raise £60,000 for a project that supports teen mothers in Kenya. Through skills training and mentorship, the goal is to support young mothers into a position of stability for themselves and their new families.
Don’t miss the opportunity to double your donation throaugh match-funding from Tuesday 28th November at midday.
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