Expedite abandonment of FGM/C through diffusion of successful experience: The case of collective decision, but undisclosed to external communities of the Habero area society in Eritrea

Content Brief background of FGM/C practice in Eritrea in relation to social norms theory Achievements so far The Habero experience Way forward

Brief Background of FGM/C Practice in Eritrea FGM/C is one of the harmful social norms practiced in Eritrea. It is social norm because it is conditionally preferred due to empirical and normative expectations. The community have empirical expectation b/c they believe that their community members are cutting their girls and the practice is deeply rooted in the community that obliges the community to cut. The community have also a normative expectation to cut their girls because they believed that their community members believes they should cut their girls.

Perceived reasons behind the practice of FGM/C: social acceptance % marriage prospects % religious approval %  These factors obliges, individuals in their relevant network groups to confirm to cutting- normative expectations.  They are also conditional social preference factors that takes into account the opinions and choices of other people that matter to the decision maker.  The believe that if a daughter is not cut, she will socially not be acceptable by her communities, has less prospect of marriage creates a negative schema.

FGM/C Prevalence in Eritrean Vs. Habero area Current status of FGM/C Practice in Eritrea Current status of FGM/C Practice in Habero sub region

What has been achieved so far ? A.Collective approach: Five line ministries, two national associations, religious leaders and community based anti FGM/C committee working collectively B.Impact:  Progressive decline from 95 to 89 & 83 % in 1995, 2002 and 2010 respectively; with 33 and 12.9 % for < 15 and < 5 years  Support for continuation of FGM drops from 49 % in 2002 to only 12% and 10 % of women and men respectively

Habero experience Habero is one of the high FGM/C prevalent area. The village had secretly, but collectively, declared to abandon the practice of FGM/C about 10 years back. The triggering factor was tragic death of two children due to excessive bleeding. The death of their daughters was a factual belief that cutting can cost them their loved ones, The villagers have developed an attitude that their respective communities should keep their commitments towards their secret decision, After more than a decade of silence, they are now ready and proud to make it public This is a commitment towards the right of the child to survival, development and integrity, a clear value deliberation. The value for the community is to keep the daughter safe.

What can we learn ? the remaining communities can be inspired by their decision and diffusion would bring a fruitful impact. In Eritrea we can say critical masses of individuals are in support of discontinuation of FGM/C. Thus, we can hypothesis to use the Habero case as an entry points to expedite the complete elimination of FGM/C from Eritrea.

How ? a two step model of communication for social change would be utilized: A. Publicising the secret decision of Habero followed by B. Diffusion using communication for social change model.

A. Publicising the secret decision of Habero community on the occasion of February six: Organize an event of celebration of upcoming February six in Habero. The major activities to be performed are: Publicly declare that residents of the village of Habero have stopped FGM/C long time ago, hence abolishing harmful norm and created new norm of not cutting Testimonies of why they have decided to stop the practice and the procedures of their decision How happy and proud they are now Their readiness to share their experience Organization of wider media coverage The event to be attended by celebrities, influential political and religious figures, and make them visible to the public using media. Example, they will be interviewed on the subject of FGM/C and their views will be heard.

B. The model of communication for social change: communication for social change model through the process of community dialogue leading to collective actions that benefits the entire community. Model of communication for change-steps: Catalyst/Stimulus Dialogue Collective Action Resolution to a common problem

Key steps of dialogue: Recognition of a problem Identification and involvement of leaders and stakeholders Clarification of perception Expression of individual and shared needs Vision of the future Assessment of current status Setting objectives and Options for action

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