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Harness the energy of local activists
In many traditional societies, strong, charismatic individuals can help overcome resistance and help a project succeed.
In Kenya, eradicating female genital mutilation/cutting has been the mission of Agnes Pareyio, who, for years before the project started, travelled by foot to Maasai villages with a wooden model of the female reproductive system in hand, preaching the dangers of the practice. To put political clout behind her cause, she ran for deputy mayor in her districtand won.
In 2005, she was named 'Person of the Year' by the United Nations in Kenya. In Mauritania, a single individualZeinebou Mint Taleb Moussawas largely responsible for calling public attention to sexual violence. Her modest personality, combined with her status as an experienced midwife, helped her gain support not only from local people but also government officials. According to one ministry official, Zeinabou elicits a lot of respect in the community. She gathered around her imams, other religious leaders, lawyers, magistrates, doctors, police officers, psychiatrists and midwivespeople who would otherwise be difficult to bring together. But they all came because of her personality and were later convinced that a problem existed. Many of these high profile individuals subsequently lobbied the Government to acknowledge the problem of sexual violence and to introduce strategies to combat it. |
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When you want to understand issues in a given society, you need to be strong, know your target and what you want to achieve, and listen to the community...
ZEINEBOU MINT TALEB MOUSSA
Founder and President of the Mauritanian Association for Mother and Child Health |
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