Fostering rites of passage without circumcision

Since 1993, Maendelo Ya Wanawake Organization and PATH have been implementing a communication project in four districts of Kenya to provide community members with accurate information about the harmful effects of female genital mutilation. It was clear that alternative ways to usher girls into maturity without circumcision were needed. Alternative ritual activities were developed. In one region, girls are secluded for a week-long training on reproductive health issues, including pregnancy and HIV/AIDS prevention and personal hygiene. A community celebration and "gift-giving" by family, friends and godmothers followed. Girls are also given a booklet that contained the community's tradition wisdom and expect code of conduct. In another community, individual families organized ceremonies for their own daughters.