Especially in rural societies in Tanzania, a girl’s destiny is determined by birth. Due to strong cultural beliefs, she is expected to be married and become a mother at a very young age. She has no choice or voice in the matter. The girl is seen as nothing more than an economic commodity. Too many girls get mutilated before this forced marriage. Because of the female genital mutilation (FGM) the mortality rate both among girls and their babies is too high.

HIMD’s mission is to protect and empower as many young women and girls as possible. Over the past 10 years, we have been working in the rural societies of northern Tanzania, where FGM is most prevalent. Our primary focus is prevention through educating people in these communities about the effects of FGM. Simultaneously, we provide a safe haven for the courageous girls who ran away. By offering them a home and education, they can break the cycle and build a brighter future. In this way, a new generation of resilient and empowered women can rewrite their narratives and achieve their dreams.