Document Type
Report
Publication Date
2008
Abstract
In 1998–99, a village empowerment program was implemented in the Thiès/Fatick and Kolda regions of Senegal by the nongovernmental organization Tostan, to mobilize communities to hold public declarations in support of abandoning harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage. The information presented in this report indicates that many did end the practices following a public declaration, however, the lack of follow-up in the field and the absence of support mechanisms pose a large obstacle. Nevertheless, the program achieved significant results: knowledge of life skills resulting in positive changes and a shift in the perception of FGM/C moved everyone toward abandonment of this practice. Two main recommendations emerged from this retrospective assessment: 1) there is a need to provide support to these villages following the public declaration; and 2) there is a need to provide more support to families/communities that have abandoned the practice.
Recommended Citation
Diop, Nafissatou J., Amadou Moreau, and Helene Benga. 2008. "Evaluation of the long-term impact of the TOSTAN programme on the abandonment of FGM/C and early marriage: Results from a qualitative study in Senegal," FRONTIERS Final Report. Washington, DC: Population Council.
DOI
10.31899/rh3.1000
Language
English
Project
A Research Agenda to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in a Generation; Frontiers in Reproductive Health
Included in
Demography, Population, and Ecology Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, International Public Health Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons, Women's Health Commons