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AMREF HEALTH AFRICA: Knowing Better, Doing Better: Meet Nashipai

Amref Health Africa
Nashipai, A former Ngariba (cutter)

Nashipai (61) is taking a stand in her community by calling for an end to FGM. Nashipai was a circumciser (Ngariba) in her community for over 16 years before Amref Tanzania educated her on the adverse effects of FGM for women and girls. After learning about the damaging health risks, she decided to stop the cut and be one of the women championing the movement to end FGM in her village.

It was not easy for her to stop practicing FGM. She considered it her main job and had no alternative source of income. To her, FGM/C was a “business.” Ngaribas receive 50000 Tshs, or about $21 per girl, and she cut more than 40 girls in one season, which is around $840. “I had no other source of income those days, so I had to do that in order to feed my family,” said Nashipai.

Addressing the lack of information on the harmful effects of FGM/C were critical educational and training opportunities for Amref. Our Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP) and WASH programs help inform and educate people about the FGM/C health risks involved and support communities in developing alternative sources of income. Some ceremonies even involve circumcisers denouncing FGM by symbolically surrendering their instruments.
“For now, I am not practicing it, and I am a good ambassador on fighting against FGM/C in my community, after receiving education on the dangers of FGM/C from Amref. We were also provided with an entrepreneurial education from Amref, and they supported us with small capital to start income-generating activities,” she added.

Though the practice of FGM is rooted in social norms, cultural beliefs, and even economic incentives, it’s been banned since 1998. In Maasai communities in Tanzania, it is considered an important rite of passage into womanhood. Several women in the Handeni Maasai community said that they would not have undergone FGM/C if they had fully known the damaging consequences of it.

By working with communities and leaders to bring awareness to the many hardships FGM/C causes, we can create, promote, and support change from within the communities themselves, which is what it’s all about.

Featured Client:

Amref Health Africa

Thematic Areas: