In some villages rituals still take place that have happened for generations. They may be kept quiet or be done in secret. The problem is that many of these village customs are old fashioned and they can put a girl’s life and health at risk.

One of these is a puberty initiation for girls or Kutha Cinamwali. Often when the girl reaches puberty (at 12−14) she is expected to get married and fall pregnant, although still a child herself. The traditional belief was that if girls do not marry early, they wash away their chances of having children during their monthly periods. One ritual prepares her for marriage. On the last night of the initiation, her husband comes to the house and has sex with her. If she is not married or promised, another young man called a fisi [puberty hyena] is paid to have sex with her.

What’s dangerous about it?
The husband or the fisi may not have tested for sexually transmitted infections and HIV first. This means the girl does not know the HIV status of the man she has sex with and can contract HIV from him.

It takes courage to stand up to your people and tell that what is happening is dangerous. But this is the duty of a new generation of leaders. If you see this dangerous practice happening in your village you need to share your knowledge and educate others of their rights.