In Senegal, the rate of female genital mutilation has been around 25% for several years. However, in areas such as Casamance in the southern part of the country, this practice is still defended, with approximately three-quarters of women and girls undergoing the procedure. The intervention often takes place in infants or young children and is carried out secretly by circumcisers.
The project's goal is to make a significant contribution to ending female genital mutilation in the Ziguinchor region while also reducing youth pregnancies in schools.
The project works with young people as central actors to sensitize them to the issue of female genital mutilation and involve them as ambassadors in their villages. Members of the youth club in each village play an important role as godparents of a newborn assigned to them by the health center. They accompany parents during the first years, ensure that children are registered civilly, and remind parents of vaccination dates. Parents have accepted that girls be checked for possible circumcision, with the health center informing them of the health and legal consequences of the practice. None of the girls in the project area has been circumcised since the start of the sponsorships.
In their role as sponsors, young people have discreet access to counseling and services related to their sexual health in health centers, without arousing suspicion. As ambassadors, they have also been trained by the project to discuss sexual and reproductive health with other young people at school or in the village and refer them if necessary.
The project has organized discussion groups with parents to address issues in education and teach positive parenting methods to prevent violence in education. This has led to a trust-building relationship between parents and their children, ultimately questioning circumcision as a violent act against girls. Sports clubs and schools, including teacher workshops, have also taught non-violent methods of dealing with children, always with the goal of having people recognize circumcision as an act of violence and change their attitude.
A major success of the project was when circumcisers, initially skeptical of the project, approached it and announced their willingness to collectively find an alternative to circumcision. After many discussions and workshops, they decided in October 2023, at a large conference and in the presence of the population and the media, to no longer perform circumcision on girls and women. They were rewarded for this decision by the project and the mayor, who presented them with a diploma.
The project zone covers the Ziguinchor department. The project is implemented in 13 villages, with a total population of approximately 40,000 inhabitants. With the upcoming phase, this will involve a total of 21 villages and around 60,000 inhabitants.
