In Tanzania, many young girls are victims of female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage, cultural practices that are deeply rooted in the country. Those who refuse these rites are often rejected by their families and denied an education.

The “Breaking the Chains” project, led by Sr. Jacqueline Gbanga, has protected, supported, and educated 10 young girls who were victims of serious violence.

The first step was to identify and rescue these high-risk girls.

Psychological support was then provided to help them overcome their trauma.

“These girls were psychologically affected by the torture they had suffered from their families, parents, and guardians. Because of this situation, special psychosocial assistance was needed for them, but also to raise awareness among parents and guardians about the harmful effects of female genital mutilation and child marriage.” Sr. Jacqueline

The sisters were then able to enroll them in educational institutions to offer them a secure future. As a result, five girls were able to continue their education at Messa Secondary School, two girls were enrolled at Saint Catherine Labouré Primary School, two girls with disabilities were accepted at the Lindalva Justo vocational training center, where they are currently taking sewing and secretarial classes, and one girl was able to enroll at Sumve Secondary School.

The situation of Imelda H. had been brought to our attention

“She is a 16-year-old girl from Kurya and a fourth-year student at Messa Secondary School. She has been living in the Association for the Termination of Female Genital Mutilation (ATFGM) relief camp since December 2019, when she was rescued from female genital mutilation. The girl’s father forced her to undergo genital mutilation while she was still in primary school. She thought she would die after being cut because her sister had died from FGM.

The girl resisted because she had already been made aware of the harmful effects of FGM by our children’s rights club, which has been set up in every school. One day, while Imelda was at school, the child’s mother arrived on a rented motorcycle and took her to Kenya, where the mutilator was already waiting for her. Fortunately, some children saw her and alerted the teachers, who immediately notified ATFGM. We went straight to the police, who managed to arrest the child’s father, and the girl was saved!

Since that year, the girl has been completely rejected and abandoned by her parents and currently lives in the ATFG children’s home. Although she thought she would never study again, she is doing well in class and is always among the best students. She wants to become a lawyer so that she can defend other girls whose rights are being violated. Sr Jacqueline

The project received €5,000 in funding, which was used to cover school fees and school supplies.

The Sisters continue to work on the ground to raise awareness among parents and members of tribal communities about the dangers of FGM and early marriage.

“Dear donors, on behalf of all our staff, who are so grateful for this wonderful news, and our girls, who are still in school thanks to you, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your kindness and sacrifice in enabling these girls to continue their education:

Education is the key to life and opens up a bright future for them. We must raise our voices to defend these young girls. You have helped them take a big step forward in their lives and contributed to building their future!” Sr Jacqueline

Sister Jacqueline Gbanga
Source: https://www.projets-rosalie.com/