An alternative way to stop female genital mutilation

In Kenya, a new ceremony known as "Ntanira Na Mugambo," or "circumcision through words," is being offered in some rural communities as an alternative to the harmful practice of female genital mutilation. This new ceremony includes a week-long program of counseling, training, and provision of information to young women ending with a "coming of age" celebration that involves music, dancing, presents, and feasting. Since its initiation in August 1996, about 300 young women have accepted this alternative rite. Kenya is among the countries where the practice of female genital mutilation is slowly diminishing, but the mutilation is still common in at least 26 African countries and among immigrants in some developed countries. The new Kenyan rite has the advantage of requiring the cooperation and support of the communities where it is practiced. It was developed as a cooperative effort of the Kenyan Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health after years of research. An important aspect of Ntanira Na Mugambo is the flexibility that arises from the ability to stress various components in response to community characteristics. Its success is also linked to the fact that it involves the entire family and community and has a male motivation component. It is hoped that this nonjudgmental rite will become a widely successful strategy to eliminate female genital mutilation and improve women's health throughout the world.