Insights from the 35 years we’ve engaged with affected African communities, has revealed that community leaders play a important role in influencing key decisions and practices – including FGM and child marriage. Our Africa programmes train community leaders with influence, to become ‘change agents’; who are responsible for protecting at-risk girls and advocating for change in attitudes towards harmful practices.
“Traditional leaders’ awareness of the rights of girls and young women, including their right to education has been raised greatly. We now have better knowledge of the negative effects of FGM and the need to abandon the tradition.” (Tarime clan leader, Tanzania 2014)