THE CONCEPT NOTE
Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation in Longido and Monduli for Children Under 2
Years of Age.
Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Community (MAIPAC) is a Non-Government
Organization that focuses on providing media support and aid to indigenous and pastoralist
communities. The organization aims to amplify the voices of these marginalized
communities, promote their rights, and address the challenges they face through the use of
media and communication tools.
Objectives of MAIPAC
The primary objectives of MAIPAC include:
Empowerment: MAIPAC seeks to empower indigenous and pastoralist communities by
providing them with the necessary skills, resources, and platforms to share their stories,
advocate for their rights, and participate in public discourse.
Advocacy: The organization advocates for the rights of indigenous and pastoralist
communities by using media as a tool to raise awareness about their issues, challenge
stereotypes, and promote social inclusion.
Capacity Building: MAIPAC focuses on building the capacity of community members to
effectively use various forms of media, such as radio, television, social media, and
community journalism, to communicate their perspectives and concerns.
Cultural Preservation: MAIPAC recognizes the importance of preserving the cultural
heritage of indigenous and pastoralist communities. The organization supports
initiatives that promote cultural preservation through media-based activities.
Partnerships: MAIPAC collaborates with local and international organizations, media
outlets, and stakeholders to create sustainable solutions for addressing the challenges
faced by indigenous and pastoralist communities.
Activities of MAIPAC
MAIPAC engages in various activities to achieve its objectives.
1. Media Training: The organization conducts training programs to equip community
members with skills in journalism, storytelling, digital media production, and
advocacy through media.
2. Media Production: MAIPAC supports the production of community-based media
content that reflects the experiences, traditions, and aspirations of indigenous and
pastoralist communities.
3. Advocacy Campaigns: The organization develops advocacy campaigns using different
media platforms to raise awareness about the rights and issues affecting indigenous
and pastoralist communities.
4. Community Radio Support: MAIPAC provides technical assistance and support for
community radio stations operated by indigenous and pastoralist groups, enabling
them to broadcast programs that are relevant to their communities.
5. Research and Documentation: MAIPAC conducts research on media representation
of indigenous and pastoralist communities, documenting best practices, challenges,
and opportunities for improving their visibility in the media landscape.
Impact of MAIPAC
The work of MAIPAC has had a significant impact on indigenous and pastoralist communities
by amplifying their voices, fostering cultural pride, promoting social inclusion, and
advocating for their rights at local, national, and international levels.
In conclusion, Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Community (MAIPAC) plays a crucial
role in empowering these marginalized communities through media support, advocacy,
capacity building, cultural preservation, and partnerships with various stakeholders
Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralist Community (MAIPAC) is an organization that
focuses on providing media support and aid to indigenous and pastoralist communities. The
organization aims to amplify the voices of these marginalized communities, promote their
rights, and address the challenges they face through the use of media and communication
tools.
1.1 Introduction of the concept note.
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice that affects millions of girls
and women worldwide. In the regions of Longido and Monduli in Tanzania, FGM is still
prevalent, particularly among children under 2 years of age. This project aims to create
awareness through media campaigns, to educate the community about the dangers and
consequences of FGM, with a specific focus on protecting young girls from this harmful
cultural practice.
1.2 Problem Statement.
Female Genital Mutilation is silently rising and at a significantly younger age amongst
indigenous communities in Tanzania. It is being practiced on infants 2 years and below.
This silences the voice being raised against the malpractice on young girls. Why the shift
from young girls to infants? Female genital mutilation has received coverage over the years
that have focused on girls aged 9 to 15. Efforts have been made and have started to reduce
the malpractice in that age group. This has been a direct result of the increased access of
FGM education and its negative effects for girls as they have been able to voice out their
concerns, have become resistant to it and will report the incidents that have taken place to
local authorities. This, however, has resulted in the mutilators who perform FGM, to secretly
practice on toddlers that cannot raise their own voice.
In June-Sept 2023, MAIPAC, conducted an investigative news report regarding FGM and
discovered it is still being practiced in the Longido District of Arusha on children under two
years of age. MAIPAC intends to do expand their investigation by using their reporters to
focus on the region to raise awareness and combat the ongoing rise in FGM among infants.
It is a silent plea as they do not have a voice to raise against the violation. The effects of
such practices among young children are severe and may lead to death and illness such as
UTI, permanent scarring, and HIV among other diseases. We need to continue to raise
awareness to the Maasai community leaders, the men in the Longido and Monduli District,
NGOs and Government officials to realize the damaging effects of FGM so as to end this
type of violence against women and girls. This malpractice on infants must be thoroughly
investigated, addressed, and reported in depth among different media outlets.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for this project to be under taken in order to raise
awareness and about the dangers of FGM and eradicate this issue among communities of
Longido and Monduli, particularly targeting parents, relatives, tribal leaders and caregivers
of young children.
2.0 General Objective.
The general objective of this project is to eradicated FGM and its forms among girls and
women of all ages in Monduli and Longido by 2024/25 By utilizing various media platforms,
the project aims to advocate for the abandonment of this harmful practice and promote the
well-being and rights of young girls in these communities.
2.1 Specific objective
Investigate in details FGM situation for children under 2 years in Longido Districts,
Arusha Regional, Tanzania.
Raise awareness about the physical and psychological impacts of FGM on young girls.
Empower community members, including parents and caregivers, to reject the
practice of FGM.
Provide accurate information about the legal implications of FGM and promote
alternative rites of passage ceremonies that do not involve cutting. (Like Makonde
tribe UNYAGO for girls).
INNOVATION
The innovation in this project that denote uniqueness of all initiatives and this is the idea of
5 RE’s to which will be put in place and facilitate the implementation of all strategies and
realization of objectives
Initiative What it does?
Empowerment Reject
Youth engagement Report
Media campaign Re-educate
Mobile technology Remind
Cultural festivals Replace
Activities proposed.
i. To Conduct investigate in details this type of FGM For children under 2 years old.
ii. To Conduct community sensitization workshops and educational sessions on the
dangers of FGM for children under 2 years old.
iii. To Distribute informational materials such as pamphlets, posters, and videos
highlighting the risks and consequences of FGM.
iv. To Facilitate discussions with community leaders, elders, and religious authorities to
advocate for the abandonment of FGM practices.
v. To Collaborate with local healthcare providers to offer medical support and
counselling for families affected by FGM.
vi. To Monitor and evaluate the project’s impact through surveys, focus group
discussions, and interviews with community members.
Strategies.
1. Develop radio and television Program highlighting the negative effects of FGM to
girls and women.
2. Organize community dialogues and workshops with local leaders, healthcare
providers, and religious leaders to discuss the importance of ending FGM.
3. Distribute informational materials, such as brochures and posters, in schools, health
centers, and public spaces.
4. Collaborate with local media outlets to feature stories and interviews with survivors
of FGM who have spoken out against the practice.
5. Collaborating with other cultures to provide strategies how do they fight against
outdated cultural practices.
3.0 Evaluation:
The success of this project will be measured through pre- and post-campaign surveys to
assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to FGM within the target
communities. Additionally, monitoring media coverage and community engagement will
provide insights into the effectiveness of the awareness campaign.
4.0 Sustainability.
To ensure long-term impact, partnerships will be established with local organizations, other
tribal leaders and government agencies to continue advocacy efforts against FGM beyond
the duration of this project.
if you are interested to join this movement don't hesitate to reach us through cellphone or WhatsApp number +255759034780
