Stop Excision!
Sini Sanuman is
dedicated to stopping female genital mutilation (FGM), also known as
excision, in Mali and world-wide.
We speak to individuals and groups in meetings that include discussion of the problems with FGM and different people's experiences and feelings. Often these meetings end with singing or playing anti-excision songs and dancing.
The songs and music videos
we have produced to spread our message have been played widely in Mali and
nine other countries in West Africa.
Our Pledge Against Excision, a promise never to have a girl excised,
now has well over 30,000 signatures. 95% of those signing say that Mali should
outlaw the practice. With our partner groups, we are working
toward such a law.
Nine villages have collectively abandoned the practice of excision,
with our encouragement, celebrating their decisions with public ceremonies that we helped them
organize.
Almost 200 former excisers have agreed to give up the practice. Many
of them are helping spread the word.
We have a set of posters that were created in January 2011 that show well-known Malians with slogans against FGM. The posters appear sometimes one by one, sometimes as a group, depending on the space. They are also on billboards in 4 prominent locations around Bamako. See below and at right.
The message is:
"The body of a girl is sacred. Leave girls whole!"
Susan McLucas, Director of Healthy Tomorrow, singing "Deni To A Cogola" (Leave Her Alone) by Rick Goldin in Bambara near Koulikoro
Kaniba Baguiya and Amadou Togo dancing with women of Tamala at a meeting about giving up FGM
Healthy Tomorrow is a US group based around Boston that supports the work of Sini Sanuman. We give talks, show videos, provide technical assistance and raise funds to help end excision in Mali.
In March 2012, Susan McLucas and Wyoma did a presentation at the Community Church of Boston about the work of Sini Sanuman. To view the event click the following links:
Talk - Susan and Wyoma presenting work of Sini Sanuman
Dance- Wyoma’s comments and dance for Full Girl Maturation
Q&A- questions from audience at Community Church
Healthy Tomorrow organized a film screening and panel discussion at Harvard University on April 19 2011. Secret of the Dawn is a documentary about FGM and efforts to stop it, and includes opinions and activities of Sini Sanuman. Check out an article about the event from Examiner.com/Boston. Click here to view a flier for the event.
For more information about Secret of the Dawn and other recommended films see our Links page.
Susan McLucas, Director of Healthy Tomorrow, singing "Deni To A Cogola" (Leave Her Alone) by Rick Goldin in Bambara near KoulikoroKaniba Baguiya and Amadou Togo dancing with women of Tamala at a meeting about giving up FGM
Healthy Tomorrow is a US group based around Boston that supports the work of Sini Sanuman. We give talks, show videos, provide technical assistance and raise funds to help end excision in Mali.
In March 2012, Susan McLucas and Wyoma did a presentation at the Community Church of Boston about the work of Sini Sanuman. To view the event click the following links:
Talk - Susan and Wyoma presenting work of Sini Sanuman
Dance- Wyoma’s comments and dance for Full Girl Maturation
Q&A- questions from audience at Community Church
Healthy Tomorrow organized a film screening and panel discussion at Harvard University on April 19 2011. Secret of the Dawn is a documentary about FGM and efforts to stop it, and includes opinions and activities of Sini Sanuman. Check out an article about the event from Examiner.com/Boston. Click here to view a flier for the event. For more information about Secret of the Dawn and other recommended films see our Links page.
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| Siaka Traoré, President of Sini Sanuman, presenting over 30,000 signatures on the Pledge Against Excision to Dioncounda Traoré (no relation), President of the National Assembly, in October 2007 |
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| The 30,000 signatures on the Pledge Against Excision that were presented to the legislature |
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| Ex-excisers saying NO MORE! |
 People looking at the posters in Badalabougou, Bamako |
 Our display of 400 villages in Mali that have stopped excising in the county hall of Kalabancoro |
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| Kariba Coulibaly, chief of Konibabougou, with ex-exciser Dama Coulibaly, who is signing the Pledge Against Excision |