Melina Nyambuya

An Activist against FGM

by Christine Mwanukuzi-Kwayu,
Pact Training Officer

Melina Nyambuya was born in 1943 in Mzula village, Mvumi District, Dodoma Region in central Tanzania. She is among 17 children her mother gave birth to, and the only survivor. All the others died during delivery or when they were very young. Melina, currently a mother of 7 children (3 girls and 4 boys) started her activities as a circumciser in 1968. During this time, she used to circumcise at least 90 young girls each year. Her first daughter, born in 1970, was circumcised and experienced severe pain and bleeding during child delivery. This did not shock Melina, as she did not relate it with female circumcision.

The year 1988 changed Melina's perception and belief towards female circumcision. This is the year when Women Wake up (WOWAP), a nongovernmental organization and a partner to Pact Tanzania, advocating against Female Genital Mutilation, took its campaign to Melina's area, Mvumi District. It is at this time that Melina related her daughter's suffering with the effects of female genital mutilation (FGM).

Before she made her decision to join WOWAP as an activist, Ms. Nyambuya's cousin (seven years old) died immediately after she was circumcised. Her uncle (father to the deceased) was sentenced to seven years imprisonment together with the circumciser. The loss of her cousin and the tough measures taken by the government against the supporters of the FGM shocked Melina, and she decided to start campaigning against FGM.

Melina Nyambuya then thought of all the deaths and incidences that happened during her life, from her mother's children to her own and concluded they were effects of FGM. This gave her courage to advocate against FGM despite great resistance from her community. She had managed to protect her two young daughters from the act. Through WOWAP campaigns, Melina, together with other activists, both men and women, have saved the lives of several baby girls and young women.

Pact Tanzania has provided WOWAP with technical assistance and training to developing its first strategic plan; develop and implement new financial management systems; begin documenting its advocacy programmes; and examining multisectoral approaches to HIV/AIDS. Pact also provides partners (WOWAP being one) with fora to voice and present their concerns and activities. In these events, Melina Nyambuya presented her story during the Pact-led strategic planning workshop and during an advocacy meeting where she represented her organization.