We were delighted to participate in this important event! Thank you to everyone who took part.
Moreover, we recently held a girls empowerment session at Mugumu in Serengeti District organised by Grumeti Fund! More than 900 girls attended, and FGM education, GBV and other topics were delivered.
Interested in finding out more about our work this past cutting season? The challenges we faced? Our plans going forward?
Hope has created a Progress Report to update our supporters, that you can find at the following link: http://www.tanzdevtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/HGWT-SEASONAL-AND-PROGRESS-REPORT-FEB-2019.pdf
Last week, Mohabe Mwita Marwa Simangwe, a cutter from Matare village dropped her tools at the HGWT safe house and swore not to cut any more girls in the Serengeti district.
This adds to the already long list of cutters that have been impacted by Rhobi Samwelly’s mission. In 2015, Christina, a circumciser who had previously cut girls in the local village of Kebanchabancha, witnessed an anti FGM road show Rhobi organised in her village. Christina was so deeply affected and moved by the road show it led her to publicly denounce FGM and destroy her tools for good. This cost her dearly – she lost her source of income, her husband divorced her and she had to move away from the village due to the pressure of people trying to persuade her to change her mind. Nonetheless, the strong support network she found in the HGWT safe house left her undeterred. Since then, Christina has become a peer educator persuading other circumcisers to follow her lead.
The tide is turning and HGWT has been a pioneer at the community level. Rhobi Samwelly and her team understand the complexity of FGM and it’s deep connection with the local cow based economy. They have held those who refuse to follow the anti-FGM laws accountable whilst also creating sustainable solutions to wipe out FGM.
However, the safe house faces challenges. Now it is known as a place of refuge, local police often bring people here who have nowhere else to go, like victims of rape and domestic abuse. Most pressing of all issues, is the need for a car so that girls in villages can be reached.
If you are willing and able to help, any donation would be much appreciated on http://mydonate.bt.com/events/nofgmtanz/451816. The funds will directly help girls escape FGM this cutting season.
‘In the Name of Your Daughter’ continues to make a lasting impact in the global mission against female genital mutilation. Directed by Canadian Giselle Portenier, the documentary is centred around Rhobi Samwelly’s active fight against FGM in rural Tanzania. Since its premiere at the Copenhagen Film Festival, the movie has gone on to garner rave reviews from critics and high ranking officials alike. Canadian Senator Jim Munson praised the documentary for its sensitive portrayal adding that “this may be a difficult subject for some, but this an issue that must be addressed over and over again. FGM is happening in Tanzania, it is happening around the world and it is happening in Canada”.
Last week saw “In the Name of Your Daughter” screened in front of potentially it’s most important critics yet. With the help of the Canadian government and UNFPA Tanzania, the documentary has been showing in front of hundreds of students in rural Tanzania. To date, there has been a screening at Magereza Primary school and Matongo Primary school in the Butiama District, with plans for screenings in other schools around the region. It is hoped these screenings will not only inform at-risk girls of the options available to them but also illuminate young boys perspective on women. As “In the Name of Your Daughter” so beautifully portrays, to truly end FGM there has to be a concerted effort from a multitude of actors representing both genders, at both the community and international level.
On October 30th, Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania conducted an anti-FGM training session to Butiama District officials and partners working against FGM in Butiama District.
The training was supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) and was officially opened by Mara Regional commissioner Mr Adam Malima. Mr Malima insisted that all partners and government leaders come together to work in collaboration against FGM.
Through UNFPA, we managed to introduce Ushahidi and distribute posters with anti-FGM messages and phone numbers for reporting any FGM and GBV cases from villages.
Pictures of the day can be seen below.
Since September, Rhobi Samwelly has been on a global anti-FGM mission. Her journey commenced in New York, where she spoke passionately in front of a high-level UN Panel, recounting her harrowing FGM experience as a teenager. From then, she travelled to London to join director Giselle Portenier for the UK premiere of In The Name of Your Daughter. The documentary is centered around Rhobi’s active fight against FGM in rural Tanzania. The latest leg of her advocacy mission drew her to Ottawa.
On October 23rd, Rhobi, along with Giselle Portenier were welcomed by Senator Jim Munson on the floor of the Senate of Canada. Proclaiming Rhobi as a “human right hero” and a “shining light”, Senator Jim Munson praised the documentary for its sensitive portrayal. “I am still trying to catch my breath after watching – In The Name of Your Daughter” Mr Munson said. “This may be a difficult subject for some, but this an issue that must be addressed over and over again. FGM is happening in Tanzania, it is happening around the world and it is happening in Canada” he continued.
Senator Jim Munson continued by underscoring Rhobi’s outstanding work with Mugumu Safe House before asking Canadian leaders to consider tracking cases of FGM domestically (transcript found below).
Rhobi dedicated the rest of her visit to reaching as many people as possible with her anti-FGM message and promoting In the Name of Your Daughter. This entailed spreading the word by radio and addressing the International Parliamentarians Conference with Canadian MP Carolyn Bennett. While Rhobi’s advocacy has originated in Tanzania, her global journey has shown that FGM is a mission that resonates deeply with everyone, irrespective of race, country and religion.
The following is the official transcript of Senator Jim Munson’s accolade for Rhobi Samwelly on the floor of the Senate of Canada, 23rd October 2018:
The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Rhobi Samwelly, Giselle Portenier and Liz Smith. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Munson.
On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!
Hon. Jim Munson: Honourable senators, there is a human rights hero in our midst. Rhobi Samwelly from Tanzania is saving lives, girls’ lives. I am still trying to catch my breath after watching a compelling documentary on Sunday night here in Ottawa, a documentary called In The Name of Your Daughter, produced and directed by Canadian Giselle Portenier.
This may be a difficult subject for some, but this an issue that must be addressed over and over again. FGM, or female genital mutilation, is happening in Tanzania, it is happening around the world and it is happening in Canada.
Today’s story is about rural Tanzania where, despite the tragic circumstances, there is hope and courage.
Honourable senators, I am on my feet today to talk about a shining light. That shining light is Rhobi Samwelly.
Rhobi, through her advocacy and her Mugumu Safe House, is helping women and girls who have been victims or who are fleeing potential victimization.
Senators, my colleagues Senator Ataullahjan and Senator Jaffer have spoken passionately in this place about this illegal practice. We know what a horrific procedure this is: it puts lives and health of young girls at risk; girls have died.
In the documentary I saw on Sunday, In the Name of Your Daughter, there is the story of young Rosie Makore who, at 11 years old, has to decide to submit to cutting and child marriage or run away from everything and everyone she knows.
That is why the work of Rhobi’s safe house is so important. It gives girls a place of peace, a place of compassion and a place where they are accepted.
It is heartbreaking in this film to see young children run down a country road to a safe house. The child has found out that she will be next in a traditional cutting ceremony. At the safe house, these girls — and there are hundreds of them — gradually gain confidence and independence. The main goal is to stop FGM being forced upon girls and women.
Tomorrow is world UN Day, a day for Canada to reflect on its international roles, commitments and obligations. The United Kingdom has started to track cases of FGM, which is a step I think Canada should take to help women living with the effects, both physical and psychological.
These are vulnerable citizens, these young girls of the world. Let’s help the victims of FGM and help stop the practice from happening anywhere ever again.
I salute Rhobi Samwelly. She is here with us today. She’s on her way back to rural Tanzania to do her work. Cutting season is an open season now in that country and in other countries of the world.
As you head back to your country today, Madam, we in the Senate of Canada want you to know you are not alone in this battle for the rights of the child.
To Giselle Portenier, the Canadian director and producer of this incredible documentary, I want to thank you on behalf of the senators for shining your light.
This documentary, In The Name of Your Daughter, received rave reviews in London, England recently; it should be an Academy Award-winning documentary. This is about little girls, honourable senators; we must do more.
(1410)
In the name of all senators, thanks to both of you for bringing a shining light.
Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!
The transcript can be visited on the Senate of Canada website here: https://sencanada.ca/en/content/sen/chamber/421/debates/238db_2018-10-23-e#7
Rhobi Samwelly has been spreading the word globally of her fight against FGM. Starting in the General Assembly in New York, the next leg of her journey took her to London, to the UK premiere of In the Name of Your Daughter. The documentary, directed by Canadian Giselle Portenier, follows Rhobi’s active fight against FGM in rural Tanzania and was a highlight of London’s Raindance Film Festival – Britain’s largest independent film festival.
The film, which highlights stories of individuals who have found shelter in Rhobi’s safe house, underscores the life-saving impact of Rhobi’s work. One of the central stories is about young Rosie Makore, who at 11 years old, has to decide to submit to cutting and child marriage or run away from everything and everyone she knows. Rhobi’s safe house gives girls a place of peace where they are accepted and protected. Additionally, the film presents how FGM in Mara is intricately weaved into the local cow-based economy and the view of women in society, with husbands claiming that cutting will reduce a women’s tendency to be unfaithful.
After the showings, Q&A’s were held with Rhobi and filmmaker Gisele Portenier. The audience, noticeably moved and affected by the film, was desperate to know how they could help Rhobi in her fight. You can do so by donating through our Girl’s Rights Fund page on MyDonate: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/nofgmtanz/4. Important: please mark your donation ‘For Rhobi’ in the comments box.
More economically conscious minded audience members asked how Rhobi expected those benefitting from FGM practices i.e. ceremony organises, cutters, to accept their incomes being tightened. The conclusion pointed to a need for the government to intervene in the form of grants to wipe out the illegal practice in its entirety.
No one who watched this film could avoid being deeply moved by the fear of girls facing FGM, unable to trust those who should be caring for them. Equally, however, all were uplifted by the spirit of the girls and their determination to realise their dreams. By the end, the audience was enthused by Rhobi’s fights and joined in with a group photo, declaring that FGM is #MYISSUETOO.
At the end of September, Rhobi Samwelly was invited to speak in front of a high-level panel as part of the UN General Assembly in New York. This marked a major step in her fight for protecting girls and women against FGM.
As the powerhouse behind the Safe House project, Rhobi spoke about her personal experience of being forced to undergo FGM as a child. Rhobi recounted to the panel how a friend of hers passed away from FGM at age 11 and as dictated by tradition, her body was thrown in the bushes to be eaten by wild animals rather than buried. This experience haunted Rhobi’s memories and when Rhobi’s family started to organise her cutting ceremony at 13, she was terrified and strongly resisted. She pleaded against her mother but was told that not complying would bring shame upon the family and that she would never marry. For a moment, Rhobi considered running away but that plan was abandoned as she realised she had nowhere to go. Rhobi had no option to go ahead and her procedure caused her to lose so much blood that for a moment her family thought she was dying. Rhobi explained that her harrowing memories have inspired her lifelong commitment to saving other girls from a similar fate.
The following day, Rhobi participated in a mapathon at the UNFPA’s Orange Café. Young open-source mappers, consisting of both university students and activists, gathered to edit and update maps of rural areas. Rhobi explained how their use of open source data and mapping were making a real difference. Firstly, it helps local NGO’s, activists and policy to physically get to girls-at-risk. Poorly mapped villages hinder the ability of NGOs to respond to a tip from community members that a girl is in danger of FGM. Secondly, it informs girls and communities about rescue centres and safe houses.
“During the seasonal cutting, girls are now — those who are educated — they are running. They’re escaping FGM and they run to be protected to the safe house” said activist Rhobi Samwelly, in a video interview produced by the global news organization Al-Jazeera. “We can’t work directly and get to the village and save them because we don’t know which road is short, which road we can use, even to go to reach these villages. So mapping villages is helping us to identify some of the villages that have girls who are at risk,” she continued.
The young open-source mappers who were taking part in the UNFPA event, plus 6,000 volunteers who were taking part remotely across the globe in over 60 countries were using OpenStreetMap, an online open-source map that everyone is able to access and update. Together, their efforts mapped over 49,000 buildings and almost 7000 km of roads to better protect girls at risk. The mapathon, led by the creator of Crowd2Map Tanzania, Janet Chapman, stated that this was just a sample of what is happening on a continuous basis, volunteers contributing to rural maps that end up making the difference between life or death for a girl at risk of FGM. Crowd2Map Tanzania is creating volunteer programs in partnership with several universities around the world to try and systematically map and document villages in areas where FGM is present. “We are building a global network to unite people from across the world so that activists can better protect (girls at risk),” explains Janet Chapman. Janet presented the tools — the different software and the ins-and-outs of mapping and tracking — to the group in the Orange Café, which included a number of UNFPA staff members.
Those in the room noted a special atmosphere during the mapathon as young and passionate “mappers” felt the pivotal role their commitment of time and effort was having on the lives on young girls in Tanzania. Indeed, the project serves as a prime example of how technology can not only bring us together but also help to solve the world’s most pressing and difficult humanitarian issues.
On the 16th of June, 28 years ago the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now known as the African Union (AU), honored the 1976 Soweto student uprising and established Day of the African Child (DAC). Each year on June 16th a new theme is collaborated and agreed upon for DAC in order to honor that momentous moment in history. In 2018, the theme is “Leave No Child Behind for Africa’s Development”. This theme targets those children who are slipping through the cracks in Africa’s growth and development with goal of implementing more well-rounded and inclusive educational programs to ensure that each of Africa’s children benefit.
Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania works to advocate for girl’s and women’s rights by fighting back against female genital mutilation (FGM) and other gender based violence. An integral part of Hope for Girl’s success is our education-centric approach to building awareness around gender issues. In honor of this year’s Day of the African Child, Hope for Girls partnered with the Serengeti District council as well as other social impact collaborators such as Right to play, Imara foundation, Mugumu police gender desk, Washehabise, Tumaini Jema, District community Development office and DC’s office to celebrate the children of this community. June 16th was a joyous day of celebration for the 3,700 children from Hope for Girls, Majimoto, Nyamakobiti and Busawe Primary schools. Community members from Majimoto, Nyamakobiti, Magatini, Hekwe and Busawe village gathered to hear their children acknowledge and advocate for their rights through conversation, song and poem. Among those in attendance were the District leaders as well as the guest of honor, Mr. Nudin Babu, the Serengeti District Commissioner.
Day for the African Child is a day that holds many sentiments, however, each of us can agree that this day in particular is an important time to focus on what matters most, our children, our future. This day provides a forum for each child’s voice to be heard and give each child the freedom to raise awareness around issues that violate children rights. At Hope for Girls, our goal is to continue partnering with the Serengeti District council as well as other partners from neighboring villages to continue to spread the word of the importance of education and awareness around the impact that gender violence and FGM has on not only the girls and women but on the community as a whole.
Canadian filmmaker Giselle Portenier’s new documentary ‘In the Name of Your Daughter’ about our director Rhobi Samwelly’s work to end FGM premiered this past March at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival! The premier was attended by over 200 people, followed by two more screenings with Q & A sessions and screenings for students at Virum Gimnasium and St. Joseph’s Catholic Institute. Rhobi along with two girls featured in the film, Rose Makori and Neema Chacha, were able to travel to Copenhagen with Giselle to attend the screenings.
Below is a trailer of the film, which also played at the NorthwestFest Documentary & Media Arts Festival in Edmonton, Canada earlier this month.
Rhobi says what she enjoyed most about their trip to Copenhagen was meeting so many different people interested in learning more about FGM, including the ambassador of Canada to Denmark Emi Furuya, the Minister for Development Cooperation Ulla Tørnæs, and MP Trine Bramsen. The film’s positive reception has encouraged her to continue working hard to help communities in Mara and she said that many people in Denmark were surprised parents could do such a practice to their children.
What Rhobi found most surprising about the trip was learning during a Q & A session after the film that male circumcision isn’t a social norm in Denmark, unlike in many parts of Tanzania. In addition to speaking out against FGM at village community outreach events, Rhobi also encourages boys to get circumcised in hospitals rather than as part of traditional Kuria initiation.
