Anna stands firm against FGM!
24 January 2024The strength to say no: One girl's fight to resist forced marriage and FGM.
18-year-old Anna’s upbringing was not without its difficulties.
Her parents, who struggled financially, were determined to marry their daughter off at an early age in order to secure a good bride price. To get the most money they could, they decided it was necessary for Anna to undergo female genital mutilation, a cultural practice that many communities in Tanzania believe is a rite of passage to prepare girls for marriage.
Child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) are a violation of girls’ human rights and act as root causes for discrimination and violence against girls. Despite global and national efforts to turn the tide on these harmful practices, 31% of girls in Tanzania are married before their 18th birthday and 5% are married before the age of 15.
Learning about the negative impacts of child marriage and FGM
Fortunately for Anna, she had learnt all about the negative impacts of child marriage and FGM at the girls’ club she is part of at her school in Mara region. The club, set up by Plan International, educates girls about their rights and gender equality, encouraging them to reach their full potential by shunning the harmful traditional practices that hold girls back.
“My standing against the practice will help other girls who are in fear to stand firm when the time comes for them.”
Anna
“I am chair of our school girls’ club, so very aware of the consequences of early marriage and FGM,” says Anna who used her knowledge to confront her parents and refuse their demands. “My standing against the practice will help other girls who are in fear to stand firm when the time comes for them.”
Despite her resistance and under duress from her family, when she was 15, Anna was taken to a secret FGM ceremony held in a remote forest where she was to be cut against her will. Alerted by Plan International’s project team, the police raided the ceremony and arrested the perpetrators, freeing all the girls who were gathered there to be cut.
This rescue mission marked the beginning of a new challenge for Anna. At home, her parents falsely accused her of conspiring with the police to halt the FGM ceremony and they decided to stop supporting her financially, hoping that she would be forced to drop out of school and could then be married off.
“My parents believed the police invasion was plotted by our school club or associates from our work against FGM. They were mad at me and decided to withdraw their support so that I would give up my education and accept to get married,’’ she explains.
Determined to create a better life for herself, instead of dropping out of school, she did the opposite and worked harder, excelling academically. Despite her parents refusal to pay for school supplies and books, Anna’s hard work paid off and she became the top student in her school, earning her rewards in the form of exercise books and TZS 20,000 (8 Euros).
Instead of using the money for personal needs, Anna saw this as an opportunity to take control of her life and started a groundnut and popcorn enterprise, buying and selling to the students at her school. With the profits she made, she was able to purchase her school uniform, sanitary pads, and other necessities that she had previously been unable to afford.
Anna is an inspiration and a trailblazer
Her strength and resourcefulness acted as an inspiration, not only to her peers but also to her headteacher, Ms. Sabina. “Anna’s determination is testament to the power of resilience and the pursuit of one’s dreams against all odds. The school authority decided to support her academic career, as we believe her success will change the perception many parents in the community.”
Rallying behind her, the school community is now providing Anna with the support she needs to forge ahead with her education. But Anna’s story extends beyond the classroom. As well as being chair of the girls’ club, a position that allows her to support girls who are undergoing similar experiences, Anna mentors younger students, sharing words of wisdom, encouraging them to work hard, have confidence and focus on achieving their life goals.
No challenge is impossible to overcome, when met with determination and resilience.
“Many girls come to me for advice, I try my best to support them. Through my story and dedication, many seem to be inspired and take positive action. And I will not stop and until harmful practices against girls come to an end,’’ she says.
Anna hopes to one day become a neurosurgeon. With her strength, intelligence, and an unyielding spirit, we believe that Anna will not only shape her own destiny but also touch the lives of countless others, proving that no challenge is impossible to overcome, when met with determination and resilience.
Protecting girls from harmful practices
The ‘Protecting Girls from Harmful Practices’ project is being implemented by Plan International and our local partner in Tanzania, the People’s Development Forum (PDF). The project aims to prevent Child, Early and Forced marriage (CEFM) as well as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
Working with the most vulnerable girls and their communities in the regions of Geita and Mara, the project will directly reach 13,670 people – including girls, boys, parents, teachers and health workers to improve their knowledge and skills to keep girls safe from harmful practices, now and in the future. An additional 39,390 members of the wider community will be reached through campaign messaging, advocacy work and community events.
Building on the success of previous Plan International programmes, 47 girls’ clubs have been established in schools to provide spaces for adolescent girls to learn about their rights, learn new skills and knowledge so they can raise awareness in their communities to end child marriage and FGM.
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