This is an association of individuals, groups, non-governmental organizations and institutions whose aim is to stop FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and other harmful traditional practices that is subjected among girls and women. Their main aim is to raise awareness among communities and cultures that perform these harmful practices on how dangerous they are while giving women and girls a voice that allows them to fight.

The organization has three safe places where it receives girls who are running aware from the harmful practices like FGM and even early marriages. Sometimes they also have women who run away with their daughters trying to protect them from practices they went through themselves. These centers offer protection and they allow the girls to get continued education. They are located in Lekrimuni, Mikocheni and another one still under construction in Simanjaro. Their vision is to have a society which values and protects the human rights of women and children while their main mission is to empower communities to address development challenges.

HISTORY: HOW IT BEGUN

This was all brought up when a group of female activities came together and shared their share of pain on what they had seen happening in the community. In 1998, these female activities decided that they should address this problem boldly and with strength even when they were no visible support from the communities due to their worry of abandoning the culture.

In 1999, the dream of NAFGEM became a reality and it was recognized as a non-governmental organization. According to different online sources, there shows a great reduction rate in these practices in the regions that NAFGEM has intervened at.

THE NAFGEM TEAM

NAFGEM has 110 members in 8 districts of Manyara and Kilimanjaro region. They are divided by 4 teams i.e., Governance, management, members and district working members. All these members play a special role in protecting every female who seeks help. There are also volunteers who come in from different countries who are touched by the work done and want to make change. They are a big part of the organization’s growth and success.

The organization also works with eight other organizations that are like minded that assist in the success of the organization. The organizations also assist in keeping the girls and women safe while creating awareness through media through the protection of the government. They also work with certified surgical centers that help women and children who have already undergone genital mutilation and are going through other health complications such as HIV/AIDS and Fistula.

With the help of the team, NAFGEM has been able to create awareness in communities and even gain their trust allowing them to participate in campaigning for FGM, Early marriages and even Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It has also allowed young girls to have their say and women are able to pay for education for their daughters while creating and improving their home.

NAFGEM has seen and heard different stories on a daily bases and is determined to do whatever they can to stop the practice. FGM is mainly rooted in the Maasai culture where it is believed that a woman who has undergone the process is worthy and will bring the family fortune in form of dowry. Through these combined efforts of education, sheltering, and empowerment, NAFGEM hopes to improve the lives of children, women and girls who are in danger in their own homes.

WHAT NAFGEM DOES

Community Education:

NAFGEM offers training and workshop sessions to the communities and teaches them about different effects of FGM and early marriage. It tries to address these issues and discuss them which was considered a taboo by these cultures.

Child Marriages:

NAFGEM realizes that the best way to address this is by reaching out to individual girls and show them the effects and importance of going for education instead of trying to change a whole community. It has a bigger effect because the same girls, together, try to change the narrative and improve the whole community. NAFGEM also tries to allow co-existence with males and females which is considered a taboo within many communities. This is done via sports and bonanzas and a session is held afterwards separately to teach about the reproductive health.

Have Female Circumcisers end FGM:

NAFGEM has also been able to have the people in charge of the FGM process, who are also women, see the harm in the process and change their ways. The NAFGEM have held ceremonies that applaud the women as they give away the tools that they use for the process. There is also a follow up to see whether they are true to their word.

Promoting Girls’ Education

The most effective way of bringing change in the community is through education but this is still seen as a waste of resources for many cultures and communities. NAFGEM therefore helps give education to the girls who have been able to run away from the practices. NAFGEM has about 50 students who are studying but it aims to be able to get more and support them in vocational training.

Pamoja Tuwalee Project

NAFGEM created the ‘Pamoja Tuwalee Project’ with the aim of implementing a program that identify and support children living in the most vulnerable conditions. It targets about 4144 children in 39 villages. NAFGEM collaborates with the local government to ensure that the children are identified, protected and provided with physiological and educational needs as they slowly heal mentally from the trauma that they have run away from.

HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?

By booking a safari with us on  TANZANIA , KENYA AND UGNADA SAFARIS contributes 1% in the NAFGEM with uor leader Fransisca as a representative.

Also The whole organization is focused on giving women and children a second chance and you could help too. If you are interested in the NGO, you could apply as a volunteer and help support the organization and the girls you will meet.

You can also opt to donate or fund the organization as little help goes a long way. You can find all the information of how you can help in the website and page. NAFGEM is an organization that needs you and me and welcomes you to hear the stories of the girls and see how long they go.

https://www.nafgemtanzania.or.tz/index.php