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
Dieynaba Kane, former cutter turned advocate for abandonment of FGC
Dieynaba Kane is a vocal advocate for the abandonment of female genital cutting (FGC), a practice whose painful consequences she knows better than most, having undergone it herself and having, by her own count, performed it on at least 100 girls over a period of...
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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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Last week we celebrated the fantastic achievement of former Tostan Training participants S.A.F.E., who led the first public declaration for abandonment of female genital cutting in Kenya. Over 3000 people were present at the declaration, many from the Maasai.
The theories and methodologies for social norms change that Amos, Veronica, Frances, Naserian and David learned at our Training Center in Senegal had a huge influence on their program's approach in Kenya. Their achievement is emblematic of the importance of a non-judgemental, community-led and inclusive approach, as shown by testimonies from the declaration participants themselves:
A grandmother said: "At first, we refused to listen to S.A.F.E., but they were patient and explained to us why people all over the world are saying to stop. Then we came to understand and we quickly agreed that we would stop too."
A mother said: "When others tried to force us to stop, we got angry at them for attacking our culture. But S.A.F.E. respects the culture and the community and that is why we love them."
A young man said: "What S.A.F.E. has done is of historical importance. They know how to bring our whole community together because as community members themselves, they understand the sensitivities and hopes."
Congratulations again to our partners S.A.F.E. and Orchid Project for this significant achievement!
#throwbackthursday #dignityforall #endFGC Hannelore VB
'Walk On My Own' is the story of what is possible when a community participates in empowering, human rights-based education, and makes cultural shifts for the wellbeing of girls, women, boys and men.
Thanks to the visionary partnership of Lisa Wheeler, Mark Wheeler and Isabelle Wheeler, 13-year-old Ndèye Fatou from rural Senegal had the chance to capture her story, with BYkids. After a premiere screening in her community of Keur Simbara this past January, this young girl's story is now set to be shared with the world. There will be a public screening in New York City on March 13th, and it airs on PBS in New York on March 24th and other dates locally across the USA.
Check out the trailer, and watch this space for more news!
#Empowerment #Storytelling #DignityForAll
Air Dates for FILMS BYKIDS Season Two
t.e2ma.net
Four new films by teens premiere on WNET Sundays starting March 3 at 7:30pm Dear Friends, We are thrilled to share that Films BYkids Season Two airs in the New York metro area on Sundays from March 3r...Cette année, la journée internationale de la radio promeut le dialogue, la tolérance et la paix !
Le saviez-vous? Les émissions de radio, étant un outil de communication accessible et influent dans les zones rurales, sont utilisée dans le cadre du programme de Tostan pour diffuser des informations sur des droits humains et des responsabilités.
Voici deux participants animent une émission sur le droit à l'égalité devant la loi et à un procès équitable, sur la Radio Rurale Dabola. En Guinée, Tostan collabore avec quatre radios rurales, de Dabola, Dinguiraye, Kissidougou et Faranah, afin de toucher une audience plus élargie avec des messages et des actions positives.
En savoir plus sur les émissions et leur rôle dans la stratégie de diffusion organisée, sur notre site web: www.tostan.org/fr/programmes/le-programme-de-renforcement-des-capacites-communautaires/maximiser-...
#journéeinternationaledelaradio #dignitépourtous #dialogue #tolérance #paix Mouctar Oulare WorldRadioDay2019 World Radio Day
Today is World Radio Day, this year promoting dialogue, tolerance and peace!
Did you know that radio programs, as one of the most powerful and accessible forms of communication in rural areas, are used by partner communities to share and discuss information about human rights and responsibilities?
Here are two community members in Guinea hosting a show about the human right to a fair trial and equality in the law, on the rural radio station Radio Rurale Dabola, one of four partner stations in Guinea along with Dinguiraye, Kissidougou and Faranah. The weekly radio shows allow Tostan partner communities to reach an even wider number of people with positive messages and actions for change.
Find out more about the role of radio programs and our strategy of organized diffusion, on: www.tostan.org/programs/community-empowerment-program/maximizing-impact/
#WorldRadioDay #DignityForAll #Dialogue #Tolerance #Peace
Last chance to apply for two posts based in Dakar, Senegal: Global Message Mobilizer and Proposal Writer & Researcher.
Find out more and apply by midnight: www.tostan.org/get-involved/join-our-team/
#recruitment #Jobs #internationaldevelopment #communication #bilingualjobs
Join Our Team | Tostan International
tostan.org
We are comprised of a talented, diverse and committed group of people. If you are interested in joining the Tostan team and have expertise in areas that align with our needs, we encourage you to apply...JOIN US ON TWITTER
