DOCSLIB.ORG

Molly Melching NOMINATED?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Molly Melching NOMINATED? Child Rights Hero Nominee • Pages 92–112 WHY HAS MOLLY BEEN Molly Melching NOMINATED? Molly Melching has been nominated for the World’s Children’s Prize for her 40-year struggle to end female genital cutting, child marriage and forced marriage. Molly and her organization Tostan train people using local languages, in a program based on human rights. They involve whole villages, adults and children alike, in a three-year training program that covers health, education and environ- mental issues. Other important elements include empowering women and children, and raising Molly Melching arrives in the village of Malicounda Historical decision awareness of female genital Bambara in Senegal on a historic day in 1996. Until The women under the tree cutting and the rights of the begin to talk about how they child. Tostan’s unique educa- this day, the girls in the village have always been made their decision. tional model is called the subjected to female genital cutting and child mar- “We have received infor- ‘Community Empowerment riage. Molly hardly dares to believe the message mation that we didn’t have Program’. The program has led that has reached her from the village women: before,” says Kerthio, one of the women. “We now know to over 7,200 villages across six ‘We have decided to stop cutting our girls.’ nations in West Africa deciding that most women in the to stop practising female genital hen Molly drives a thousand-year-old tradi- world are not cut. That sur- her jeep into the tion that has seriously prised us. We have also cutting, child marriage and village, she is wel- harmed millions of girls in learned that a lot of the pain forced marriage. Thanks to W comed by many people. this and other villages? and problems we women live Molly and Tostan, hundreds of Singing and dancing, they thousands of girls in these vil- make their way to the meet- lages can now grow up without ing place in the shade of a the risk of being harmed for life. large tree. And they and the boys in the “We greet you by your first villages will not have to get name and your surname,” married while they are still says the leader of the village children. Both girls and boys women. Before, even talking can now dream of a future filled about female genital cutting with knowledge, where they was prohibited, so Molly is amazed. Have the women make their own life decisions. really decided to talk openly about this tradition, and to put a stop to it? Has her organization Tostan’s train- Adama, 15, is talking about the Tostan program in front of the whole ing in health and human village. When her mother was young, girls weren’t allowed to talk rights contributed to ending like this, but now the village meetings include everyone. 92 92-112_Molly_Meicher_USA.indd 92 2016-04-14 15:17 with are linked to the cutting The women decide to hold carried out on us as children.” a ceremony, during which Female genital cutting is a both women and men explain dangerous procedure, which why the decision to end leads to lifelong health prob- female genital cutting is an lems. But it is a tradition that important one. And how the meant that a girl could be discussions in the Tostan pro- married and accepted by the gram helped them to make village community. their decision. For a long time, the village Molly is at the ceremony. women have talked about She joins in the dancing and how girls are cut and forced to shares the joy of everyone in All the children have jobs to do, like fetching water, but it’s also important that children have time to play. marry early. For two years, the village. trainers from Tostan have given them support and First children’s centre she arrived in Dakar she had a children’s books in Wolof so information on human When Molly first came to feeling: ‘This is my place in one night Molly wrote her rights, the body, and health. Senegal as a 24-year-old in the world.’ first story book in Wolof, “The most important thing 1974 it was to study children’s The stories she was study- about a girl called Anniko. we have learned,” says stories in French, as part of ing were in French, but the She ran the children’s centre Kerthio, “is that there are her university studies back children’s language was for six years. human rights. And that we, home in the USA. But when Wolof. as adults, are responsible for ‘How are the children sup- Village life protecting the rights of the Molly came to Senegal as a posed to learn when they After six years at the chil- child. That gives us the 24-year-old and stayed. She start- can’t speak or read books in dren’s centre in the capital, ed a children’s centre in the capital strength to stand up for our city of Dakar. their own language?’ Molly Molly moved out to a village rights.” asked herself. to learn about the situation “We have talked with the She learned Wolof and for children there. religious leaders and found started a centre where chil- There was no school in the that this tradition does not dren could read, experience, village. Molly lived there for come from Islam. Putting a learn and develop in their three years and created an stop to the tradition doesn’t own language. There were no educational program in the make us bad Muslims.” En route to a Tostan meeting En route to a meeting in one of more than 7,200 villages that have said no to female genital cutting and child marriage, thanks to Tostan’s work. 93 92-112_Molly_Meicher_USA.indd 93 2016-04-04 18:42 local language, based on tra- began raising awareness of woman called Ourèye Sall. Ourèye wanted to share ditional songs, dances and human rights, this sparked She was a traditional cutter, this new knowledge so she poems. The program grew discussions about child mar- the person who carries out visited many villages. Adults out of information on health riage and female genital cut- female genital cutting on the listened to her because she and hygiene, and discussions ting. girls in the village. was a cutter, and she stood to and shared problem-solving But in 1996 when the vil- Ourèye was only fourteen gain from the tradition con- with the people in the village. lage of Malicounda Bambara when she was married off to tinuing. In 1991, working with the was the first village to say an older man. But before this, local people, Molly began to they had stopped cutting her mother had taught her The wandering imam develop what was to become girls, many people were how to perform the cutting Molly’s good friend, an imam the organization Tostan. angry. Both women and men procedure. That knowledge called Demba Diawara, was Tostan is a Wolof word for protested. They called the gave her a better status in the angry at first that Tostan the moment when a chick women in the village horrible new village, and brought in were discussing this tradi- breaks through the egg shell. names, and said that they money to her family. tion. But after talking about Tostan’s aim was to share would never stop cutting girls. By the time Ourèye came cutting with doctors, reli- knowledge with other villag- into contact with Tostan’s gious leaders and women in es in different local languages. The cutter who quit education program, she the village, he came to Molly Once Molly and Tostan In another village lived a already had her own children and said: and grandchildren. They had “I was wrong. I didn’t know been cut, just like all the girls how damaging this is. Now in the village. that I know, I have to do “We were sitting in the something about it. But to be classroom and I turned to my able to end this tradition we daughter and said: ‘No. It’s must persuade our relatives over now. I don’t want to cut and friends. We have to talk girls any more.’ Peace and to all the villages, and I freedom from violence are myself will go to ten villages more important than money. where my closest relatives I realised that then,” says live.” Ourèye. Demba walked from village Ourèye Sall was the first cutter who took a “I know that I’ll have problems when I’m older and I’m giving birth,” stand against female says Nuima, 14, in Senegal, who was cut as a baby. “Thanks to Tostan, genital cutting and nobody does it any more here, and nobody forces us to get married stopped carrying it out. before we are eighteen.” Her granddaughter Rokhaya, 17, is proud of her grandmother’s important work to end the practice. Thanks Tostan! Isatou, 11, suffered female genital cutting as a baby, but it doesn’t happen any longer in her village and everyone has promised to stop the tradition. “If it wasn’t for Tostan, we would still be marry- ing off our girls in our village,” says Isatou. 94 92-112_Molly_Meicher_USA.indd 94 2016-04-04 18:42 Imam Demba Diawara has been an NAYLOR KIM PHOTOS: FREDRIKSSON EVELINA & HALLIN JOHANNA TEXT: important figure for Molly and Tostan. Once he understood how wrong the tradition of cutting was, he realised he had to talk to relatives in all the villages to put a stop to it.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States
    Forced Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States 2011 National Survey Results Forced marriage is a pernicious global problem order” in family court; made changes to the visa threatening the freedom, safety, health, and sponsorship process; promoted extensive education of women and girls. UNICEF estimates community education, outreach and training; and that in developing countries, over 60 million supported thousands of individuals trying to avoid women now aged 20-24 were married as girls.i or escape forced marriages. The reasons for forced marriage are complex and The United States, however, lags far behind – varied—parents may use a forced marriage to and until now, has done little to recognize or ensure a young woman will adhere to conservative address the problem of forced marriage. morals and gender roles, or to otherwise protect Domestically, there are very few laws and family honor. Forced marriages may also be used policies specifically to help forced marriage to enhance a family’s status, or to gain economic victims, leaving young women (and some men) security. Whatever the rationale, the result may in crisis with few resources and options.iv subject a young woman to severe and sustained abuse, including domestic violence, marital rape, THE TAHIRIH JUSTICE CENTER’S and other forms of violence, decreased levels of REASONS FOR CONDUCTING A education, health complications, and a life of NATIONAL SURVEY ON FORCED submission and dependence. MARRIAGE Western countries with large populations coming The Tahirih Justice Center (Tahirih) is one of the from regions of the world where forced marriage nation’s foremost legal defense organizations is common are beginning to realize that immigrant protecting women and girls fleeing human rights families may persist in such traditions and beliefs abuses.
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Marriage & Modern Slavery
    FORCED MARRIAGE & MODERN SLAVERY Freedom Network USA Conference 5-6 April 2017 Washington D.C Laura Vidal National Projects Coordinator The Freedom Partnership-to End Modern Slavery Sydney, Australia [email protected] ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY FREEDOM PARTNERSHIP- TO END MODERN SLAVERY The Freedom Partnership-to End Modern Slavery is the national response of The Salvation Army in Australia to respond to issues related to human trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices. The Salvation Army in Australia has been undertaking this work for coming onto 10 years; having opened Australia’s only Safe House for victims in 2008. The work undertaken by The Freedom Partnership remains independent of the Australian Government. The Freedom Partnership: . Mobilises community to effectively identify and respond to modern slavery . Engages with government, business, corporations and consumers to uncover, mitigate and remediate slavery in production supply chains . Partners with local, state and territory governments that develop and implement localised responses . Empowers survivor advocates to contribute their expertise Since Forced Marriage was criminalised as a slavery-practice in 2013, The Freedom Partnership has expanded its work in this area to address Australia’s response and strengthen protections for individuals at risk. Including delivering in the following program areas: . Community outreach and training—assisting communities to identify and appropriately respond to disclosures of early and forced marriage . Confidential advice and technical assistance—to individuals and organisations facing early and forced marriage, including information about Australia’s response framework and making referrals for assistance . Supported accommodation and case management—via Australia’s only trafficking and slavery safe house .
    [Show full text]
  • Stolen Futures: Trafficking for Forced Child Marriage in the UK
    Stolen Futures: Trafficking for Forced Child Marriage in the UK protecting children everywhere ECPAT UK STOLEN FUTURES: TRAFFICKING FOR FORCED CHILD MARRIAGE IN THE UK Farhat Bokhari ECPAT UK 2009 3 ECPAT UK Information on ECPAT UK ECPAT UK (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) is a leading UK children’s rights organisation campaigning to protect children from commercial sexual exploitation. ECPAT UK works at the highest levels of government but also reaches out to practitioners and those working directly with children through research, training and capacity building. ECPAT UK is the national representative of ECPAT International, a global movement in over 70 countries. ECPAT UK is a registered charity (Charity number 1104948) and a Company Limited by Guarantee (Company number 5061385). Acknowledgments A debt of gratitude is owed to all the individuals and organisations that helped to make this research possible through their willingness to share their experiences and giving generously of their time. This report was researched and written by Farhat Bokhari of ECPAT UK whilst undertaking a research fellowship at the Wilberforce Institute for the study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE), University of Hull in 2008. The author gratefully acknowledges the guidance, insight and generous contribution of time by Professor Gary Craig, Associate Director of WISE, throughout and beyond the research project. Thanks also to Dr. Claire Griffiths, Senior Research Fellow at WISE, who provided helpful comments during the research and on reviewing the draft report and to Christine Beddoe whose invaluable advice, particularly in the early stages of the research, helped maintain focus and clarity.
    [Show full text]
  • Prosecuting Bride Kidnapping: the Law Isn't Enough; Aligning Cultural Norms with the Law
    Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law Volume 53 Issue 1 Article 16 2021 Prosecuting Bride Kidnapping: The Law Isn't Enough; Aligning Cultural Norms with the Law Alexandria McKenna Lundberg Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/jil Part of the International Law Commons Recommended Citation Alexandria McKenna Lundberg, Prosecuting Bride Kidnapping: The Law Isn't Enough; Aligning Cultural Norms with the Law, 53 Case W. Res. J. Int'l L. 475 (2021) Available at: https://scholarlycommons.law.case.edu/jil/vol53/iss1/16 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Journals at Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law by an authorized administrator of Case Western Reserve University School of Law Scholarly Commons. Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law 53 (2021) Prosecuting Bride Kidnapping: The Law Isn’t Enough; Aligning Cultural Norms with the Law Alexandria McKenna Lundberg* Abstract The struggle between cultural and legal norms suggests that more than a change in law is necessary to change cultural practices. If law enforcement is not influenced by existing cultural norms, the law may have little effect in prosecuting bride kidnapping. This Note, focusing on Kyrgyzstan, argues that current legal responses to bride kidnapping are insufficient to protect vulnerable women. Instead, a more comprehensive strategy—like that of addressing female genital mutilation—would better address the factors and settings that create circumstances of vulnerability and violence. Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................... 475 Table of Contents .........................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 23 March 2015 Joint Submission for the Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania, 23Rd Session, October – November 2015
    23 March 2015 Joint submission for the Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania, 23rd Session, October – November 2015 Anti-Slavery International, Minority Rights Group International & SOS-Esclaves Anti-Slavery International: Anti-Slavery International, founded in 1839, is committed to eliminating all forms of slavery throughout the world. Slavery, servitude and forced labour are violations of individual freedoms, which deny millions of people their basic dignity and fundamental human rights. Anti-Slavery International works at local, national and international levels around the world to eradicate slavery, for example by undertaking research on slavery practices; lobbying governments and intergovernmental agencies to take action to end and prevent the practice; and supporting local organisations that work to eradicate slavery through awareness-raising, advocacy and assistance to victims of slavery. Anti-Slavery International has consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). http://www.antislavery.org/english/ Minority Rights Group International (MRG): MRG is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which has been working for over 40 years to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities worldwide, and to promote cooperation and understanding between communities. MRG has consultative status with ECOSOC, and observer status with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. MRG is a registered charity in the United Kingdom. http://www.minorityrights.org/ SOS-Esclaves (SOS-Slaves): SOS-Esclaves has been leading in the fight against slavery in Mauritania for over 14 years. It seeks to expose the realities of the practice, challenge its widespread acceptance and defend the rights of those seeking to escape slavery. It also works to end discrimination faced by people of slave descent.
    [Show full text]
  • Methodology of the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage
    Methodology GLOBAL ESTIMATES OF MODERN SLAVERY: FORCED LABOUR AND FORCED MARRIAGE In partnership with Methodology of the global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage GENEVA, 2017 Copyright © International Labour Organization and Walk Free Foundation, 2017 First published 2017 This is an open access work distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 IGO License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/igo/). Users can reuse, share, adapt and build upon the original work non-commercially, as detailed in the License. The International Labour Office (ILO), Walk Free Foundation and International Organization for Migration (IOM) must be clearly credited as the joint owners of the original work. The use of the emblem of the ILO, Walk Free Foundation and IOM is not permitted in connection with users’ work. Translations – In case of a translation of this work, the following disclaimer must be added along with the attribution: This translation was not created by the International Labour Office (ILO), Walk Free Foundation or International Organization for Migration (IOM) and should not be considered an official ILO translation. The ILO, Walk Free Foundation and IOM are not responsible for the content or accuracy of this translation. Adaptations – In case of an adaptation of this work, the following disclaimer must be added along with the attribution: This is an adaptation of an original work by the International Labour Office (ILO), Walk Free Foundation and International Organization for Migration (IOM). Responsibility for the views and opinions expressed in the adaptation rests solely with the author or authors of the adaptation and are not endorsed by the ILO, Walk Free Foundation or IOM.
    [Show full text]
  • Female Genital Cutting: Breaking the Silence, Enabling Change
    Synthesis Paper Female Genital Cutting: Breaking the Silence, Enabling Change Julia M. Masterson Julie Hanson Swanson Photos courtesy of: Julia Masterson Design: Manu Badlani Copyright© 2000 International Center for Research on Women and The Centre for Development and Population Activities Female Genital Cutting: Breaking the Silence, Enabling Change Julia M. Masterson Julie Hanson Swanson Table of Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Acknowledgments .............................................................................................................................. 4 Executive Summary............................................................................................................................ 5 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 7 What is FGC? ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Applying Global Rights at the Local Level: Three Approaches to Ending FGC ........................... 12 Enabling Change: Lessons and Recommendations....................................................................... 23 Next Steps .......................................................................................................................................... 31 Appendix ..........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Marriage: a "New" Crime Against Humanity? Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
    Northwestern Journal of International Human Rights Volume 8 | Issue 1 Article 3 Fall 2009 Forced Marriage: A "New" Crime Against Humanity? Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njihr Recommended Citation Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Forced Marriage: A "New" Crime Against Humanity?, 8 Nw. J. Int'l Hum. Rts. 53 (2009). http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/njihr/vol8/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Northwestern University School of Law Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Northwestern Journal of International Human Rights by an authorized administrator of Northwestern University School of Law Scholarly Commons. Copyright 2009 by Northwestern University School of Law Volume 8, Issue 1 (Fall 2009) Northwestern Journal of International Human Rights Forced Marriage: A “New” Crime Against Humanity? * Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz I. INTRODUCTION ¶1 In February 2008, the Appeals Chamber of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) became the first international criminal tribunal to recognize “forced marriage” as a separate or distinct crime.1 In this landmark case, Prosecutor v. Brima, Kamara and Kanu, also known as the AFRC trial, the Trial Chamber held that the evidence of forced marriage in the Sierra Leone conflict was completely subsumed by the crime of sexual slavery but found the defendants, three Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (“AFRC”) leaders, guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and conscription of child soldiers.2 Alex Tamba Brima and Santigie Borbor Kanu were sentenced to fifty years in prison, and Brima Bazzy Kamara was sentenced to forty-five years.
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Marriage: Community Voices, Stories and Strategies Consultation with Community
    Forced Marriage: Community Voices, Stories and Strategies Consultation with community FOR PUBLIC RELEASE - MAY 2019 INITIAL REPORT PREPARED FOR THE NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SLAVERY, AUGUST 2018 Acknowledgements Australian Red Cross would like to express our sincere appreciation to the men, women and young people whose willingness to share their experiences, stories and insights during the consultation have made this report possible. In addition, we are grateful to the Community Liaisons who provided advice, guided content development and played a vital part in the recruitment of participants. Finally, special thanks needs to be given to Monira, Shokria, Saba, Mohammad and Jaweed, all of whom co-led focus groups with their communities. Your commitment and willingness to take action is an inspiration. Disclaimer This report presents findings from the study commissioned by Australian Red Cross and conducted by Dr Alexandra Gartrell and Sara Shinkfield. The report intends to inform policy discussion on the Australian response to forced marriage. It draws on information, opinions and advice sourced from a variety of individuals self-identifying as being from community affected by the issue of forced marriage. While all care has been taken in preparation, the report is not intended to be exhaustive and Australian Red Cross does not accept responsibility for any omissions or errors of fact. NOTE: To protect people’s privacy, names and identifying details have been changed throughout this report. Contact Kyla Raby National Program Coordinator Support for Trafficked People Program Australian Red Cross T +61 3 8327 7734 E [email protected] Australian Red Cross – May 2019 Page 2 of 56 Table of Contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Forced Marriage
    Forced marriage What is it? A forced marriage occurs when coercion, How would you recognise intimidation or threat is used to marry two forced marriage is a risk? individuals without one or both parties consent. Coercion and threat can take the The factors outlined below, collectively or form of physical violence and/or emotional individually, may indicate a forced marriage is a abuse. risk: A forced marriage differs from an arranged • Family History marriage, in which both parties consent to Siblings forced to marry; family disputes; the assistance of their parents or a third party domestic violence and abuse; running away (such as a matchmaker) in identifying a partner. from home; unreasonable restrictions e.g. A forced marriage, whether a religious or civil house arrest ceremony, cannot be justified on religious grounds; every major faith condemns it • Education and freely given consent is a prerequisite of Truancy; low motivation / changes in Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh motivation; poor exam results; withdrawal marriages. from school life A clear distinction must be made between a • Health forced marriage and an arranged marriage. The Self-harm; attempted suicide; eating tradition of arranged marriages has operated disorders; depression; isolation successfully within many communities and many countries for a very long time. In arranged • Employment marriages, the families of both spouses take Poor performance; poor attendance; a leading role in arranging the marriage but limited career choices; not allowed to the choice of whether or not to accept the work; unreasonable financial control e.g. arrangement remains with the child / young confiscation of wages / income person.
    [Show full text]
  • Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: an Analysis of Current Abandonment Approaches
    Female genital mutilation in Africa An analysis of current abandonment approaches December 2005 A.C.S. Plaza, 4th Floor, Lenana Road P.O. Box 76634, Nairobi, 00508 Tel: 254.20.3877177 Fax: 254.20.3877172 email: [email protected] www.path.org Suggested citation: Muteshi J, Sass J. Female Genital Mutilation in Africa: An Analysis of Current Abandonment Approaches. Nairobi: PATH; 2005. Copyright © 2006, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). All rights reserved. The material in this document may be freely used for education or noncommercial purposes, provided the material is accompanied by an acknowledgement line. Table of contents Acronyms ............................................................................................................................ 3 Executive summary ............................................................................................................ 4 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 6 2 FGM prevalence.......................................................................................................... 7 FGM prevalence by residence ..................................................................................... 8 FGM prevalence by ethnicity ...................................................................................... 9 FGM prevalence by education..................................................................................... 9 FGM prevalence by religion.......................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • Insights from Tostan
    Social Norms Change at Scale: Insights from Tostan By Diane Gillespie, Gannon Gillespie, and Molly Melching The Approach Tostan, which means “breakthrough” in the Wolof language, is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. Tostan is currently offering its 30-month program in five West African countries. We are dedicated to empowering African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights. At Tostan, we believe that development is most effective and sustainable when brought about by communities themselves. In this community-led approach to social change, we see our role as a facilitator—to share resources, skills, and knowledge that will empower communities to set their own goals and create change on their own terms. Through a holistic, human rights-based education program, the Community Empowerment Program, we ignite community dialogue on a wide range of topics through modules focused on democracy, human rights, hygiene and health, and problem-solving. We then reinforce these topics while providing training in literacy, numeracy, and project-management skills. We currently deliver the Community Empowerment Program in five West African countries: Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Senegal, and The Gambia. (It has also been implemented in Mauritania, Somalia, and Djibouti). Participants represent the community at large, including women and men, elders and youth, from various ethnic groups and social strata. Most have never received formal schooling or dropped out at an early age. Sessions last for two hours, three times a week. Participating communities must house and feed the facilitator and create the classroom space.
    [Show full text]