Young African women facing ritual female circumcision or female genital mutilation (FGM) now have an alternative, due to pioneering work by grassroots African organizations and PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology in Health), a Seattle-based nonprofit.

The new direction is partly a result of meetings among Kenyan mothers two years ago, seeking alternative ways to usher their daughters into womanhood. The mothers hoped to save them from the painful and dangerous mutilating operations widely performed on the external genitalia of young African women as a rite of passage.

The local group calls itself "Ntanira na Mugambo" which loosely translates as "circumcision through words." With support from their local community the women have devised a new approach to initiation into womanhood that includes song, education, celebration, and a week of seclusion.

The new "circumcision through words" ceremony was first performed in early 1996 for a small group, followed later that year by a larger ceremony for 50 young women and their families. On Aug. 15 of this year, an even larger ceremony was held for 70 young women.

This transformation was preceded and supported by studies conducted in 1991 and 1992 by PATH and Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization (WYWO). WYWO is a Kenyan women's organization committed to improving the health and welfare of Kenyan women. PATH develops health programs and technologies that fit the economies and cultures of developing nations around the world.

The studies, in the Kenyan districts of Kisii, Meru, Narok and Samburu, revealed the prevalence of female genital mutilation in these areas. These practices are most widespread in Kisii, where more than 95 percent of young women are circumcised by age 12. Female genital mutilation is practiced in more than 50% of the districts in Kenya.

The new ceremonies were developed through a series of workshops conducted by the communities and the women=s organizations, with support from PATH. The groups developed an array of new materials, including poems, skits, and songs, as well as information sheets. The new ceremonies were first instituted in the Tharaka Nithi district.

In August, the actual ceremony of initiation was preceded by a "week of seclusion," which emulated the traditional healing period after circumcision. The young women were accompanied by female mentors during this week, who taught them skills they will need for their own families. Other community trainers instructed the young women on issues such as sexually transmitted diseases, relationships, and reproductive anatomy.

This period ended with a colorful ceremony attended by hundreds of community members and leaders. Festivities included singing, dancing, and dramatic presentations by the young women. The presentations included messages such as "Female circumcision is outdated in modern life. Young women do not become mature by being cut, but by education." The young women gave gifts and were showered with presents. They received new clothes and feasted with the guests on traditional food commonly served at circumcision ceremonies.

MYWO has been working to eradicate female genital mutilation in Kenya since 1990. MYWO reaches out to communities in various districts of Kenya. PATH is an international, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health of women and children. Since 1977, PATH has implemented more than 800 health and family planning projects in 85 countries.