International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A strategy designed to reduce the number of female genital mutilation cases in Tanzania appears to be succeeding.

According to Imelda Hyera, chair of German group Rafaels, some people in the Mkinga District used to depend on the practice in order to generate money, Tanzanian newspaper the Guardian reports.

However, the organisation has recently been collaborating with the Tanga Inter African Committee to work on projects that could produce revenue for the region, including the creation of a hotel.

This is now starting to yield positive results, Ms Hyera noted, as some of those who carry out female genital mutilation have given up their circumcision equipment.

"If we don't give them another income generating activity they may resume the practice," she stated.

According to estimates from Unicef, over 70 million African girls have been victims of female genital mutilation, which means they could suffer from infertility and become highly vulnerable to infection.

Posted by Martine Ward