Senegal Anti-Circumcision Group Wins Humanitarian Prize
August 14, 2007
A Senegalese group focused on ending female ritual circumcision in Africa has been awarded the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize for $1.5-million, reports the Associated Press.
The recipient of the award, Tostan, has persuaded 2,600 villages in Senegal and neighboring countries to stop female clitorectomies, an ancient — and often painful and unhealthy — rite wherein parts of the female genital are removed.
Tostan also pursues other efforts, such as seeking to reduce the number of child marriages in the region. In addition, it runs numerous workshops to teach villagers reading and math skills.
