“I used to believe that female circumcision was a symbol of cleanliness, honor, and culture. But now, I am working to end it, for the sake of our girls and their future,” says Tari Dalacha, her voice filled with conviction and passion. Tari, a 59-year-old woman from Deka Kala Kebele in Liben District, East Borana Zone, Oromia Region of Ethiopia, has seen the impact of harmful traditions firsthand. For years, she had been a staunch supporter of female genital mutilation (FGM), believing it to be a vital part of her community’s culture. “I thought it was something that made girls clean, honorable, and proud,” she explains. “I even worked hard in my community to ensure that our girls were circumcised before marriage.”
Tari giving certificate of recognition
But everything changed in 2016 when the EU-funded UNICEF Project, implemented by Imagine1day, chose Deka Kala as one of its intervention sites. Tari was selected as one of the participants in the Parental Skills Education program, where she learned about child protection, the prevention of gender-based violence, and the importance of ending harmful traditional practices like FGM. “When I first joined the program, I had no idea how deeply damaging FGM really was,” she admits. “I believed it was for the girls’ own good. But through the teachings of Imagine1day, I began to see the truth.”
Tari’s transformation wasn’t immediate. Like many others in her community, she had long believed that FGM was a formality of passage, something that girls had to endure to be considered pure and marriageable. But as she delved deeper into the workshops, the reality of the physical and psychological harm became clear. “I used to believe that we were helping our girls, but now I know we were hurting them,” she reflects. “Female genital mutilation causes lifelong pain, trauma, and often, complications during childbirth.”
The shift in Tari’s perspective was profound. Armed with new knowledge, she took it upon herself to educate others in her community, particularly the influential women who held strong sway over local traditions. “I began to speak out about the harms of circumcision,” she says. “I would go to the village, meet with the elders, the religious leaders, and the mothers of the brides. I explained what FGM does to girls – both physically and emotionally.”
Her efforts began to bear fruit. Tari became a leading figure in the local Children’s Rights Committee and played an active role in the Gender Council at the school level. She worked tirelessly to raise awareness, not only about FGM but also about the importance of supporting girls’ education. “At first, the community was resistant. They didn’t want to listen. But as more women began to understand the truth, they started to speak out too,” Tari shares. “We decided that anyone who continued to perform FGM would be held accountable. We made it clear that this practice had no place in our community.”
Tari’s determination to stop FGM extended to addressing other barriers girls face in their education. She helped establish a Menstrual and Hygiene Management Room (MHM) at the school to ensure that girls could manage their menstruation with dignity and comfort, reducing absenteeism and school dropouts. “Girls used to be embarrassed when they had their periods, missing school because they couldn’t afford menstrual hygiene products,” Tari says. “We knew we had to act. We raised funds to provide these items for girls in need, so they wouldn’t miss out on their education.”
Her work didn’t stop there. Tari continued to use her position on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) committee to advocate for the protection of children from all forms of abuse, including FGM. “Imagine1day has been my guiding light,” she says, tears welling up in her eyes. “I never thought I would be able to make such a difference, but they gave me the tools, the education, and the confidence to stand up for what’s right.”
Today, Tari is not just an advocate; she is a symbol of change. The same woman who once supported FGM is now working tirelessly to eliminate it from her community, ensuring that future generations of girls are free from harm. “Thanks to EU, UNICEF, and Imagine1day, I understand now that my role is not to perpetuate harmful practices, but to protect the girls and help them thrive,” she says with a sense of pride. “I will continue to speak out until every girl in our village is free from the pain of circumcision. I will keep fighting for their future. I want them to grow up with hope, not fear.”