On June 16, 284 communities in both Senegal and The Gambia took part in large events to mark their abandonment of female genital cutting. Here is a selection of photographs from the declaration in Ndorna, Senegal…
- Ndorna Public Declaration. Ndorna, Kolda, Senegal, 16 June 2013
- Ndorna Public Declaration. Ndorna, Kolda, Senegal, 16 June 2013
- At the public declaration in Ndorna, Senegal, 242 villages publicly announced their abandonment of the harmful traditional practices of FGC and child/forced marriage.
- More than 1,400 people attended the public declaration in Ndorna, Senegal.
- In recognition of Ndorna’s rich cultural history as the site of the ancient Fouladou king Moussa Molo Baldé, a group of traditionally dressed community members parade into the declaration with a banner bearing his name.
- The deputy assistant Dieynaba Baldé speaks about the importance of allowing girls to finish their education and not force them into early marriage.
- This sign reads, “Ndorna and its surrounding communities have definitively turned their back on FGC and child marriage.”
- Four former practitioners of FGC stand up to speak at the Ndorna declaration, explaining their decision to abandon the practice after learning about the harmful consequences that are linked to it.
- Head post nurse Moussa Cissé announces that FGC is practiced in 27 African countries, and every year approximately 2 million girls in Africa are cut.
- A representation of the ancient Fouladou king Moussa Molo Baldé astride his war horse rides into the public declaration in Ndorna.
- 12) Reading of the public declaration.
- 12) Reading of the public declaration.
- Next to a sign announcing the abandonment of FGC and child/forced marriage by 242 communities, a group of youth stands together while the public declaration of their communities is read aloud.
- Youth from various villages come together to perform a skit on FGC.
Photographs by Allyson Fritz © Tostan
