Together, We Can End Female Genital Mutilation and Save Lives
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) affects millions of girls and women worldwide. In Tanzania's Mara Region, many girls face this dangerous practice that has no medical benefits and causes serious health problems their whole lives.
Human rights activist, Rhobi Samwelly, herself a FGM survivor, has created a way to protect girls. She has rescued thousands of girls and helps families understand why FGM is harmful. Hope for Girls and Women France supports her life-saving work.
About Hope for Girls and Women France
We are a French 1901 non-profit association dedicated to ending FGM and child marriage. We currently support Rhobi's work in Tanzania because her approach is proven to work - rescuing girls, changing families' minds, and protecting future generations. We help fund the safe houses, pay for girls' education, and support the costs of rescuing and protecting girls from these harmful practices.
You can donate to directly support the girls, or become a member for just 10 euros per year to help cover our association's running costs. Every contribution helps us fight against these harmful practices.
What is Female Genital Mutilation?
Female Genital Mutilation involves cutting or removing parts of girls' genitals for no medical reason. It usually happens to girls between when they're babies and 15 years old, using knives, razor blades, or broken glass, often without any medicine for pain.
FGM helps no one and causes heavy bleeding, pain, dangerous problems during childbirth, infections, emotional trauma, and sometimes death. Even though FGM has been illegal in Tanzania since 1998, yet it still occurs in many villages.
The Crisis in Tanzania and How Rhobi Fights Back
Girls in Tanzania's Mara Region live in fear every December when school closes for holidays. This is when families traditionally perform FGM on their daughters. Some girls run away in the middle of the night to escape. Others are taken by force.
That's where Rhobi Samwelly comes in. She runs two safe houses where girls can go when they're in danger. When a girl arrives - often with nothing but the clothes she's wearing - Rhobi's team gives her medical care, helps her heal, and works with her family to make sure she stays safe.
Since 2017, Rhobi has rescued thousands of girls from FGM. But here's what makes her approach special: most of these girls eventually go back home to families who promise never to cut them.
Emergency Rescue:
Two safe houses provide immediate protection when girls flee or are rescued
Medical Care:
All girls receive proper medical treatment and psychological support
Family Education:
Trained staff work with families to explain the dangers of FGM and legal consequences
Education:
Girls continue schooling or receive vocational training for economic independence
187+
girls currently sheltered in safe houses
3,000+
girls rescued since 2017
"I lost so much blood, I became unconscious. My family and neighbors started crying as they thought I was dying."
Rhobi's Story
Rhobi survived FGM as a child but lost her best friend Sabina to complications from the procedure. This tragedy motivated her to dedicate her life to ensuring no other girl suffers the same fate. Today, she operates two safe houses and has created a model that other regions are beginning to adopt.
In 2022, President Emmanuel Macron selected Rhobi Samwelly for the prestigious Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders. She was among only 15 defenders chosen globally and met with President Macron at the Élysée Palace. This French recognition highlights the international importance of her work protecting girls from FGM.
December Cutting Season Crisis Every December during school holidays, the number of girls at risk increases significantly.
Our supported safe houses are currently overcrowded during these peak periods.
Current Emergency Needs
Emergency support is needed for protection during high-risk periods, rescue and reconciliation processes, educational sponsorship opportunities, and emergency response capacity during cutting season.
Hope for Girls and Women France is a French 1901 non-profit association dedicated to ending FGM and child marriage. We currently support Rhobi's work in Tanzania because her approach is proven to work - rescuing girls, changing families' minds, and protecting future generations. We help fund the safe houses, pay for girls' education, and support the costs of rescuing and protecting girls from these harmful practices.
How You Can Help
Our goal is to support effective solutions wherever they exist to end FGM and child marriage. We need your help to keep this work going and expand it. You can donate to directly support the girls, or become a member for just 10 euros per year to help cover our association's running costs. Every contribution helps us fight against these harmful practices.
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