Walking with Life: The Birth of a Human Rights Movement in Africa

Walking with Life focuses on Tostan, a non-governmental organization that aims to inform Africans about their human and democratic rights related to anti-discrimination, a clean environment, hygiene and health, peace and security, justice, and the right to vote. Tostan communicates its message through multi-year courses that involve songs, dances, and stories, and they only visit villages where they are invited. Molly Melching, founder and executive director, cites genital cutting as an example of a practice that women should have the right to refuse. But if they believe they have no choice in the matter, women won't speak out or work towards prevention. Director Kenny Mann here looks specifically at Tostan's influence in Senegal. In one segment, a village woman tearfully recounts the death of her daughter during a cutting procedure, vowing that she won't subject another child to the same ordeal. Ouriye Sale, a cutter, says that she never understood the link between cutting and health problems. Now she does, and has abandoned the practice. Kanta Boiro, a griot, speaks out against early marriage, in which parents force girls as young as 10 to marry men they've never met—leading to a host of unintended consequences, including suicide. Tostan administrator Issa Saka believes that Islamic resistance to discuss sexual matters creates an additional challenge, since family planning methods—including condom use—don't receive the attention they deserve (Senegal is 94% Muslim and 5% Christian). Melching also acknowledges that some villages have protested against Tostan, believing that the organization's actions are intrusive, although some protesters have changed their views after seeing how everyone benefits when women are free to thrive. Offering a solid look at burgeoning human rights in Africa, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)