 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Gabremaskal Habtemariam, PhD, Pathfinder International-Ethiopia Office, 9 Galen Street, Suite 217, Watertown, MA 02472, (617) 924-7200, ghainsworth@pathfind.org
Pathfinder has made great strides in Ethiopia to increase access to quality reproductive health/family planning (RH/FP) services. However, numerous harmful traditional practices (HTPs) impact people’s ability to enjoy a healthy reproductive life, including early marriage, marriage by abduction and female genital cutting (FGC). The Ethiopia DHS (2000) showed that 80% of Ethiopian women have undergone FGC. Pathfinder combats HTPs through its network of community-based reproductive health agents (CBRHAs) and by engaging support of community leaders. The CBRHAs, women promoters, and community volunteers educate clients on the effects of HTPs. These activities are supported by Project Advisory Committees (PACs), whose influential members are traditional, religious, and political community leaders; PACs are critical in securing community support for local initiatives.
The PACs’ influence is evident in a Pathfinder-supported project in the kebele (village) of Watera-Turufe. Local groups have united against certain HTPs and passed resolutions to fight FGC. The key to success appears to be the involvement of supportive PACs, who inform community members at social gatherings (coffee ceremonies, church meetings) about health consequences of FGC.
In order to determine which program elements had the most impact on the community’s resolve to end FGC, a KAP study was conducted at the household level for girls both within and outside the kabele. The data from this study was complemented by qualitative information. This presentation will share findings from Pathfinder’s study and discuss successful program elements for mitigating FGC and other harmful practices at the community level.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Female Genital Mutilation, Community Involvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.