SNCTP: Internal Evaluation Report MAYO FARM Project

Background

Sudan National Committee on harmful traditional practices (SNCTP) is one of NCA`s partners in the Sudan dealing with the campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). SNCTP is the leading and pioneer organization in fight against FGM in the Sudan. FGM has been practiced in the country mainly in the northern part of Sudan. NCA/Sudan has placed FGM amongst its` priorities. A tripartite partnership comprising of SNCTP, NCA and Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) initiated a two year ( 2003- 2004) as a pilot project on Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) and HIV/AIDS at Mayo Farm IDP camp in Khartoum, Sudan
which has a mix population of 37,000 persons from Northern, Western, Eastern and South Sudan. FGM is still one of the harmful traditional practices still being practiced on young girls and it has high prevalence rate of 89 percent (KAP surveys and research reports). The partner SNCTP is also working in 15 other towns apart from the capital city Khartoum where FGM in some the mentioned areas the prevalence is about 100 percent.

Purpose/objective

The Evaluation on the FGM project at Mayo Farm IDP camp has been undertaken to revisit the experiences of the intervention on the abandonment of FGM and HTPs amongst the displaced communities with diversity of cultural background and harmful practices to:

1-Do preliminary assessment of work done in realization of the project objectives at Mayo Farm IDP camp.

2-Do preliminary assessment of impact on beneficiaries target by the project.

3-Identify challenges and constraints encountered in the implementation of project activities.

4-Work out the way forward for abandonment of FGM and other HTPs.

Methodology

The qualitative method of Participatory Project Appraisal (PPA) was basically used to gather the necessary data mainly from five (5) primary sources of information. The method used included semi-structured individual interviews, group discussion and observations.

Key findings

The findings amongst others are follows:

1. All forms of FGM including the most severe infibulations are still being practiced
against the will of girls, though very little slow decline has been notice.

2. Youth, both boys and girls have publicly talk to fight against the practice of female genital mutilation.

3. Train and committed midwives has become agents to fight against FGM at Mayo
Farm IDP camp.

4. The discouragement of FGM by train midwives become the entry point for HIV/AIDS integration and behavioural change.

Recommendations

Based on the findings and conclusions in order to ascertain the way forward are the below recommendations:

1. Expansion of the SNCTP Project: NCA to increase the support and expand the
programme to other areas where FGM has a high prevalence in the northern part of Sudan.

2. Training of trainers (TOT): Further training for training of trainers and educators be supported to allow the expansion in the campaign against FGM.

3. Government Commitment: The local authorities be pressured by all stakeholders to issue and enforce laws to discourage FGM and other harmful traditional practices in the Sudan.

4. Total elimination of FGM: All efforts should be made to eliminate all forms of
circumcision through intensive and comprehensive sensitization campaign.

5. Production of IEC materials: More information, education and communication (IEC) production to allow disseminate information to all project target groups.

6.
Integration Programme: FGM and HIV/AIDS campaign should be integrated with
other projects and become cross cutting issues.

Comments from the organisation

FGM is seen by NCA as one of the practices against human rights where young ladies has to under go circumcision against their will. The authorities in principle have called for abandonment of FGM but, in practice, the business continues as usual. The impact shown by this project in a short while has changed a good number of beneficiaries to discuss the issues of traditional harmful practices (HTPs) as bad habits to the young generation. The FGM project needs to continue and expand to other areas where prevalence is very high. Additional resources are required to increase the areas of operation in the greater Khartoum as well as other areas in the northern Sudan regions.