Ayele Shomboro, Cluster S. Gonbora WEO stated that HTPs such as abduction, rape, FGM, cutting of the uvulae of children, early marriage, segregating the Fuga Community were campaigned against and showed results such as the following: • Most HTPs are eliminated. Those who practice are taken to court or administration as necessary. • Members of the Fuga Community serve in CMCs/PTAs and other community structures with equal status. There is understanding of equality on both sides. • Fuga children enrolled in school and many have continued and reached grade 4 both boys and girls. But now there are some who dropout especially the girls. • Generally the Fuga community equally participate with other communities in common agenda. • Some government sector offices such as women and children have emulated what LIA-E did and are working against HTPs using community structures, religious and community leaders. The marginalization of the minority Fuga community that took different forms of exclusion such as lack of access to resources, lack of equal opportunity, lack of access to services etc. were an extended dimension of HTPs. As stated above the practices of exclusion have continuously been reduced as explained by Abe Leliso, Chair Danmera PTA who says “discrimination against the Fuga community is diminishing. Their children are in school with the children of the rest of the community on equal status. Members of the Fuga Community take part in community structures as members, leaders and decision makers. There is a lot of positive change these days”. Religious leaders have also added their voice to the opinion that the projects have contributed to the fight against eliminating HTPs. “In our community around Biten Kubi Primary school, HTPs are diminishing, in recent times we are not hearing about early marriage, FGM, abduction or removing of the Uvula of children. Girls have started deciding when to get married by their own. All children are going to school including girls and CWDs” (Kedir Werana, Religious leader, Jarti Bukule primary school area) It is quite revealing to learn that, not only HTPs are being eliminated, but the community is resorting to modern methods of addressing its health challenges instead of traditional HTPs. None other than mothers themselves testified the following in this connection 47
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