A bravely recount of how girls survived FGM

A huge task is rested with everyone in the society to end all forms of violence and particularly Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

This year, a group of five young Tanzanians: Diana Lukumay, Rebecca Gyumi, Dr. Joakim Mabula, Doris Mollel and Neema Ngelime, embarked on five journeys in five different regions with high prevalence in female genital mutilation (FGM): Manyara, Arusha, Dodoma, Mara and Singida; to understand why FGM prevails more than 20 years after it has been illegalized.

Nanyori* (16) met with, Diana, one of the Influencers who visited Arusha region. She was staying in a safe house at the time, and this was her account of why she was there:

“I count myself as one of the lucky ones because my parents were more knowledgeable and refused to put us through female genital mutilation (FGM). Although his relatives pressured him a lot, my father did not give in. Unfortunately he passed away when I was in form two. That was when my uncles and cousins got their chance to demand that I underwent FGM. My mother tried her best to shield me from them. I had to go to my mother’s relatives every other holiday when we suspected that they were planning to cut me.

Luckily, when we returned to school for Form Four Level in January, the school decided that we would remain in school the entire year. I kept in touch with my mother and just before my Form Four national exams, my mother told me that my uncles had planned to cut me and marry me off as soon as I returned from school.

I was very worried, as I didn’t know what to do. I had heard rumours of a pastor who helps girls but he did not serve the same denomination I was in, and so I wasn’t very sure he would help me. When I couldn’t come up with a different idea, I looked for him and he was very kind. He promised to speak to my mother and together they would work out a solution for me.

And so when I went back home after completing my exams, my mother confirmed that my uncles’ plans still prevailed.

My mother talked to the pastor who was away from Arusha at the time. After much contemplation, my mother sought the help of our pastor who agreed to host me until the return of the other pastor. I stayed with them for two weeks, without the knowledge of my uncles. When the other pastor came back, he took me to his family and I stayed with them for two days before I was brought here to the safe house.

Sara* (18) a survivor in Mara Region, who also trains and volunteers at Masanga Centre, was ready to share her experience with Rebecca:

“In my family we are all cut and circumcised.

In 2013 I came here Masanga Centre to learn different life skills as part of the alternative rites of passage programme. When I graduated and went back home, my family took away my certificates and all the presents I got and burnt them.

I didn’t fight them but I had made up my mind that I would come back to the Centre to further learn. In 2014, a lawyer came to our school to talk to us about FGM, as it was the seasonal year for cutting. She also told us about the safe houses we could go to, in case we were at risk of cutting. I knew I had to run away from home. And so the next day after school, I came straight to this safe house and asked them to stay.

After the camping days at the Safe House were over and the season had come to an end, it was time to go back to our families. I had been informed that my family was still planning to cut me as soon as I got back home, and I was scared to go back. So I spoke to Sr. Jermaine about my fears. It was decided that I would be escorted home by the police and my parents would have to sign a contract not to cut me.

My parents agreed to sign the contract. That night, I found out that my parents still wanted to cut me. I went back to the Centre and I told Mr. Mluga. My mother came for me at the centre and assured Mr. Mluga that there was no plan to cut me. Later that evening he took me home and spoke to my parents that it was important for our family to stay together and asked them not to cut me. He insisted that I should continue with school and promised to take care of my school fees and all requirements, as long as my parents did not cut me

On Friday the same week I came back home from school and I found my family in a very happy mood. I was happy that the atmosphere in the house was better again, and I felt relaxed. That evening, my mother asked me to escort her to the farm the next day, and I agreed.

The next morning, my mother woke me up at 6am to get ready and a few minutes later we left the house. While we were on our way, suddenly my mother stopped in front of me and just stood there. As I was asking her why she’s not moving, I was surrounded by a group of masked men who seized me and started carrying me away.” She finished.

To be continued…

*Not their legal names