Women Association, Gaoua

Today, February 6, is the Day Against Female Genital Mutilation. According to UNICEF, more than 6,000 African communities have abandoned this practice. This reminded me that while traveling by Burkina Faso, we visited the Association for the Advancement of Women in Gaoua, Lobi country, an example of a group that takes action to improve the situation. These women are engaged in various activities to raise money such as making soap and cream butter, beer etc. And most importantly, they travel through the villages of the region giving briefings on Female Genital Mutilation. There are also a number of posters and radio messages against these practices, along with AIDS prevention messages.