Leading this change are Kungwi — women who work as traditional teachers of gendered topics who guide young women through cultural rites of passage related to marriage, sexuality, and domestic responsibility.
For generations, unyago — initiation rites for girls — have marked the transition from childhood to adulthood. But as Saida recalls, these often included outdated, harmful, and oppressive practices that led to consequences like early marriage and pregnancy.
“There were lessons completely inappropriate for their age. For example, children under eight were taught lessons about marriage.”
With support from Faidika Wote Pamoja (FAWOPA), a local organization whose name means “benefit all together” in Swahili, Saida and other Kungwi learned how to transform unyago into a safer, educational process focused on well-being and empowerment.
AKF’s work with FAWOPA and Kungwi women are one example of AKF’s Human-Centred Design (HCD) approach, a process of learning, co-creation, and partnership. By helping Kungwi identify their own solutions to issues faced by adolescents in their community, solutions are more innovative, relevant, impactful — like adjusting teachings during unyago instead of dismissing this culturally-significant practice. Learn more about AKF’s HCD process.
“After the training, the first step was to abandon oppressive practices… We made a plan that initiation should start at a later age,” says Saida.
“We provide education on how to manage puberty, safe menstrual practices, and explain the dangers of teenage pregnancy,” says Saida. “We focus on helping children grow in the right direction and to learn well.”
Saida and other Kungwi also began assessing and monitoring initiation rites, ensuring that other Kungwi tailored their teachings to be age appropriate. They also worked with parents and guardians to educate them about gender equality topics and encourage them to become more involved in their children’s well-being.
Saida and other Kungwi women host weekend community sessions and school visits to facilitate dialogue and spread awareness about topics like gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and the importance of education.
17-year-old Rehema is part of a school club that Kungwi are regularly invited to facilitate. At these sessions, Rehema has learned about topics like puberty and menstrual health.
“One day, we sat together and we were telling each other stories,” says Rehema.
“One challenge [we discussed], a big one, especially while at school, is water… Especially during the days when someone is on her period, there is also [even more] need for water. Sometimes there is no water, and it creates very difficult conditions.”
“Some girls might also be afraid to tell her parent to buy her pads,” adds Rehema.
As a community leader with deep roots in the local culture, Saida recognizes that her role as a Kungwi means that she can be a positive mentor for youth.
For Saida, this work is deeply personal. “When I went through unyago, because there were harmful and oppressive traditions, I was mistreated. I experienced violence because the things I learned were not appropriate for my age. That is why today I fight so that the [younger generation] will not go through what I went through.”
For Salima, she hopes her work will mean brighter futures for the girls in her community. “I want them to continue to rise, get an education, study, and not stop here in the village. I want them to reach the highest levels, to go beyond the village, to climb higher academically, so that they can help others, help themselves, and support their own children in the future.”
Credits:
Rich Townsend / Aga Khan Foundation Canada