Projects

A key element of the program was to promote the ‘alternative rites of passage’ concept by restructuring the rites of passage ceremonies for girls in The Gambia to exclude the physical act of genital cutting.

The first large scale Alternative Rites of Passage for girls ceremony was conducted for 150 girls from 6 villages with support form BAFROW. During the ceremony, we provided the initiates relevant and useful gender and culture sensitive information relating to health, religion, education, marriage, sexuality, relationships, and development while creating in them a sense of social responsibility, self-esteem, confidence and respect for themselves and for others. The ceremony was guided by our Curriculum for an Alternative Rites of Passage of Girls (ŋansiŋ yaa karaŋo). With the introduction of the national law banning the practice in 2015, our training module now includes relevant information about the law and its penalties.