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.


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