Today I'm sharing a post from the Half the Sky blog about a brave female leader in Western Senegal, a part of the world that is very near to my heart. I first learned about Half the Sky when I read the book of the same name during my book a week for a year challenge in 2010. One of the things I was struck by both then and now is how they emphasize that while no one can do everything, everyone can do something. Smart, passionate women (and men!) around the world are working to turn oppression into opportunity for women worldwide, which I find to be one of the most noble pursuits there is. If you're interested in learning more about the organization, visit their website. And please, pick up a copy of the book. It is horrifying, fascinating, and most of all, incredibly inspiring.
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Originally posted on July 31, 2012, by Molly Melching, Tostan
We
were very saddened on Thursday to learn of the death of Maimouna
Traoré, Coordinator of the Community Management Committee (CMC) and
Chair of the Advisory Committee of Women of Malicounda Bambara, a
village in western Senegal.
Maimouna was one of the first pioneers of the female genital cutting (FGC) abandonment movement that is sweeping through West Africa. She led the group of courageous women who on July 31, 1997 – exactly 15 years ago today – stood before 20 journalists, government and NGO officials and declared before the world their village’s decision to abandon FGC, a tradition that had been practiced locally for centuries.
Their decision not only was courageous, but it also ignited national dialogue on the subject. There was much initial criticism around the abandonment and Maimouna and the women of Malicounda Bambara often had to vigorously defend their decision, which they did using their knowledge of human rights and by encouraging dialogue around how the practice hindered African development.
Following the Malicounda Bambara declaration and another declaration by Nguerigne Bambara in November 1997, Abdou Diouf, the then president of Senegal, announced his support for the declarations and FGC abandonment in a speech to the 33rd Congress of the International Federation of Human Rights held in Dakar on November 20, 1997.
Now, 15 years later, over 5,000 communities in Senegal have abandoned FGC, and the Tostan approach has been incorporated in Senegal’s National Action Plan for FGC Abandonment 2010-2015.
None of this would have been possible without Maimouna Traoré.
Maimouna’s steadfast belief that education is the key to positive social change had an invaluable impact on the lives of girls and women across Senegal. Despite many hardships and criticism following that first announcement she made with the "evolutionary" women of Malicounda Bambara, her commitment never wavered.
As Maimouna affirmed: "Today we are more in harmony with our traditions and culture. We are Bambara more than ever. We strengthened our positive traditions and abandoned those that are harmful to our wellbeing. We changed because we are now more responsible and caring and proud of what unites us."
The courage and determination of Maimouna Traoré will continue to inspire millions of women across Senegal, Africa, and the world.
Maimouna, we valued your spirit, knowledge, friendship; you will leave behind a legacy that will pass through the generations. You will be greatly missed.
This post was inspired by my participation in a compensated program initiated by Women Online/The Mission List to raise awareness about the Half the Sky. All commentary and opinions are, of course, my own.
Maimouna was one of the first pioneers of the female genital cutting (FGC) abandonment movement that is sweeping through West Africa. She led the group of courageous women who on July 31, 1997 – exactly 15 years ago today – stood before 20 journalists, government and NGO officials and declared before the world their village’s decision to abandon FGC, a tradition that had been practiced locally for centuries.
Their decision not only was courageous, but it also ignited national dialogue on the subject. There was much initial criticism around the abandonment and Maimouna and the women of Malicounda Bambara often had to vigorously defend their decision, which they did using their knowledge of human rights and by encouraging dialogue around how the practice hindered African development.
Following the Malicounda Bambara declaration and another declaration by Nguerigne Bambara in November 1997, Abdou Diouf, the then president of Senegal, announced his support for the declarations and FGC abandonment in a speech to the 33rd Congress of the International Federation of Human Rights held in Dakar on November 20, 1997.
Now, 15 years later, over 5,000 communities in Senegal have abandoned FGC, and the Tostan approach has been incorporated in Senegal’s National Action Plan for FGC Abandonment 2010-2015.
None of this would have been possible without Maimouna Traoré.
Maimouna’s steadfast belief that education is the key to positive social change had an invaluable impact on the lives of girls and women across Senegal. Despite many hardships and criticism following that first announcement she made with the "evolutionary" women of Malicounda Bambara, her commitment never wavered.
As Maimouna affirmed: "Today we are more in harmony with our traditions and culture. We are Bambara more than ever. We strengthened our positive traditions and abandoned those that are harmful to our wellbeing. We changed because we are now more responsible and caring and proud of what unites us."
The courage and determination of Maimouna Traoré will continue to inspire millions of women across Senegal, Africa, and the world.
Maimouna, we valued your spirit, knowledge, friendship; you will leave behind a legacy that will pass through the generations. You will be greatly missed.
This post was inspired by my participation in a compensated program initiated by Women Online/The Mission List to raise awareness about the Half the Sky. All commentary and opinions are, of course, my own.
2 comments:
What an incredible woman. That book is amazing---definitely glad to see it mentioned here and I'm uber impressed on your book a week year! How did it go?!
Wow, what a special woman! I will definitely be checking this book out.
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