Since we began, our human rights-based education program has reached more than five million people across eight African countries.
Women’s Empowerment
women have been selected into leadership positions in their communities, with many running for public office
Health
people live in communities that publicly declared their intention to end female genital cutting
Child Marriage
communities have publicly declared that their daughters will not marry before the age of 18
The Tostan Model
Our three-year, non-formal education program puts rural communities in charge of their own futures. We support our partner communities to define and fulfil their own vision for wellbeing, allowing them to create positive and lasting social transformation. Our approach is:
HUMAN RIGHTS BASED
Knowledge of human rights and responsibilities forms the foundation for learning
RESPECTFUL & INCLUSIVE
Information is shared in a non-judgmental and participatory way, using local languages
HOLISTIC & SUSTAINABLE
The program has impact across multiple issues, with sustainability at its core
Meet the New Leaders of the Breakthrough Generation
Religious Leaders at the Forefront of Social Transformation
Since 1991, Tostan has engaged local religious leaders in supporting communities’ efforts to end violence against girls and women and create a new vision for wellbeing. These partnerships are one of many strategies in a deep and growing movement leading to positive social transformation in thousands of African communities.
News and Stories
The human rights movement is rising in Mali: 141 communities publicly declare abandonment of harmful practices in Koulikoro
On 29 November 2018, representatives of 141 communities gathered in Koulikoro, Mali, to publicly declare their decision to abandon the age-old practices of female genital cutting (FGC) and child marriage. The ceremony was presided over by the Minister for the...
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30 communities in southern Senegal declare abandonment of female genital cutting and child marriage, following the Tostan program
A real breakthrough in a conservative region 30 communities in the commune of Linkering, in the Kolda region of southern Senegal, came together on Sunday, November 25, 2018, to publicly declare abandonment of harmful traditional practices, and show their commitment to...
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Tostan Sweden represented at the Swedish Forum for Human Rights
At this year’s edition of the Swedish Forum for Human Rights - the largest forum for human rights in Scandinavia - eight volunteers from Tostan Sweden pitched in to represent Tostan. One of the volunteers, Jonatan Arblom Sundblad, here reports on the successes of the...
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📣 Quotation of the week 📣
When we asked the village chief in northern Senegal if he had noticed any changes in the women of his community throughout the Tostan program, he replied:
"Women once were cautious to speak at joint meetings, but these days they wish to openly express their opinions even if it was before President Macky Sall. Then they put their opinions in a written speech that they will send me back as a village chief. So that I am kept informed and I can know the approach to take; This is a great contribution for me."
www.tostan.org/areas-of-impact/cross-cutting-gender-social-norms/empowerment-women-girls/
#empowerment #speakup #dignityforall #mondaymotivation
Empowerment of Women and Girls | Tostan International
tostan.org
During Tostan’s program, women and girls develop leadership skills, engage in dialogue, and demonstrate their ability to make important decisions for themselves and their families, showing how impor...Voici une participante du programme dans le nord du Sénégal, qui danse pour célébrer la décision de sa communauté de déclarer l'abandon des pratiques néfastes et de s'engager pour le bien-être des femmes et des filles.
Sa communauté rejoint 439 communautés qui ont déclaré l'abandon en 2018, soit près de 9 000 communautés depuis 1997 !
Soutenez le mouvement pour une transformation sociale positive ce vendredi : www.tostan.org/faireundon
#DignitéPourTous #FridayFeeling #BonWeekend
Got that #FridayFeeling? This Tostan participant has!
She is celebrating her community's decision to publicly declare the abandonment of harmful practices and commit to women and girls' wellbeing.
They join a growing movement for positive social transformation in Africa: 439 more communities joined public declarations in 2018 - adding up to almost 9,000 communities since 1997!
Support their movement this Friday: www.tostan.org/donate #DignityForAll #Celebration #TGIF
Tostan Sverige Anne Charlotte Ringquist Jonatan Arblom Sundblad
Shout out to Gina for her support this January!
#Motivation #Generosity #GratitudeBefore I studied art, I took a bachelors in Public Health and Sociology and came across so many organizations carrying out good work ✨As a student, it’s not often that I can contribute much financially to causes. For the rest of January, 10% of all paintings will be donated to, Tostan or Friends of the Earth🎗
www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7506
www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=3733
Why does Tostan share its approach at the Tostan Training Center?
Because we believe in the power of human rights-based, inclusive and participatory education -- and we want this community-led movement to spread across the globe!
Sadiat Onike-Azeez from Nigeria was one of our super-star TTC participants in 2018. She is now using what she learnt with us in Senegal to support communities in her home country. Read her story: link.medium.com/mScomr2XNS
The Carter Center Laura d'Elsa Molly Jane Melching Nasfat Medium
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