Houses of Hope Yoga-thon: Working to End FGM
Posted on Wed, Oct 07, 2009 @ 09:55 AM
Female genital mutilation ("FGM") is a right of passage used in many cultures to signify a young girl's coming of age. After girls are cut, they can then be married, which for many rural communities, happens as early as 9 years old. It is estimated that over 3 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM each year and that there are over 100 - 140 million women living with FGM currently (source: WHO). In Africa, about 92 million girls age 10 years and above are estimated to have undergone FGM. (WHO)
Houses of Hope Yoga-thon will be doing 108 sun salutations to support the Tasaru Ntomonok Initiative, an organization that works to end FGM within Africa. The organization is run by Agnes Pareyio, a Maasai woman, who has been working to end FGM for over a decade through education and the development of an alternative rite of passage for young women.
Agnes has built two safe houses where young women live, are educated and do not face pressure to undergo FGM. She has developed an alternative rite of passage for young women to acknowledge their transformation without the cutting. Just over 10 years ago there was no alternative for girls in this region of Kenya who did not want to be cut. Now, each August and December, young girls come to Narok, the site of the first house, and become women through a four day ceremony and celebration.
Video Link where Agnes explains her work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcIlFQRVdA8
Two years ago Houses of Hope produced Vagina Monologues and raised over $50,000 to build the second safe house ever used to help end FGM. This year Houses of Hope is holding a yoga-thon to raise awareness of this important issue and raise money to operate the second house.
This event is scheduled to take place on October 10, 2009 in Central Park in NY. Even if you aren't able to attend the event, you can make a difference by making a donation (every little bit counts).