Artist, Art, Action, and Application - how Sister Fa is changing key behaviors for the wellbeing of children
“Partnership” can take many shapes forms and sounds and the artist and composer Sister Fa’s collaboration with World Vision is no exception.
Since 2013 together with World Vision, Sister Fa has had a profound impact on the wellbeing of children is Kolda. A bold statement? Yes but one that can be backed up by evidence. Globally, the unique “Art working for Child Protection” project had a critically important objective; successfully advocate for the effective implementation of child protection systems so as to improve the wellbeing of some of Senegal’s most vulnerable children so as that:
- No child should be abused
- No child should be a victim of early marriage.
- No child should be a victim of an early pregnancy
- All children should be declared at birth.
So what has been done and what has been achieved?
Simply put, children and communities in Kolda (namely villages 1, 2, and 3) are now better equipped to give voice to abuses against children. Child themselves understand their rights as children and know how to access support services locally if these rights are being abused. Sister Fa has collaborated with local authorities to sign conventions to end cultural practices such as FGM. For the first time in many of these villages, the subject of “abuse” and “rights” are being discussed openly and key community influencers are being actively included in dialogues to ensure that rights are understood, systems that can protect these rights are reinforced and practices that violate these fights are being addressed and limited where possible.
How has it been achieved? Action, Sensitivity, Impact.
A unique blend of art, music, theatre, understanding and successful lobby. Sister Fa and World Vision conceived a unique programme of creative workshops, roadshows, forums and concerts through which child rights were dramatized, taught, learned and applied! Cultural Taboos were aired, understood and creatively treated so as to improve understanding and promote the reduction or elimination of certain violent practices such as FGM and early marriage. Since the programme’s inception over 20,000 people have been part of this unique approach.
"I will take all my responsibilities on possible violations. There are thousands of children who are abused, humiliated and whose rights are violated all the time. I salute the efforts of WV, which has always accompanied the communities. We were chosen we were not appointed to do nothing”. Bassirou DIA, The Sub-Prefect of Bonconto, a community in Southern Senegal reaffirming the government’s commitment to apply the laws and enforce behavioural change.
"For years women have suffered violence due to the ignorance of our parents and yet we do not deserve this fate that goes against our fundamental rights. Dear parents, know that FGM is a practice that we must get rid of. Save us from this practice. If a child is protected it is a people who is protected”. Adja DIA spokesperson for a local School Government encouraging parents to acknowledge the necessary need to change attitude and beahaviour on FGM.
Another facette to the project was face to face discussions with key lawmakers and influencers at community level forums where the rights of children were openly expressed and support sought to reinforce and ensue those rights were respected.
What is unique about this approach?
This project was a bespoke creation between Sister Fa and World Vision and its success is being understood and a blueprint being created to be rolled out across other World Vision Programme areas. The unique blend of creativity, lobby and local commitment is what is driving the success of the project
Who is Sister Fa?
A survivor of FGM, Fatou Mandiang Diatta aka "Sister Fa" is a Senegalese artist born in Dakar and currently living in Berlin, Germany. She expresses her political and social commitment through music, a mix of rap, reggae, soul, jazz, Mandinka music and mebalax. The themes of her songs touch on politics, human rights, life and living conditions of African women, FGM, unity, social and child wellbeing.
"I did not come to your home to ask you to give up your tradition and custom. I am not here to bring you another civilization. I am not here to impose a way of life. I am here to help you to better educate children, to offer them the well-being they seek every day. I am here to discuss with you the importance of respecting the rights of children who suffer enormously in these localities. I hope that with the work we have done, we will be able to help protect the children who will be responsible for tomorrow. " Sister Fa speaking at a recent roadshow concert in southern Senegal in February 2017.
World Vision Senegal had the honour of making her a Goodwill Ambassador in February 2017 and her work, commitment and engagement continues.
Why?
Because together we can achieve so much.
Partnership philosophy at its best