Protecting Maasai Children
Ending Hidden Sexual Exploitation
Join us in our mission to safeguard the rights and dignity of Maasai children by eradicating harmful cultural practices.
The Hidden Crisis
Exploitation in Maasai Culture
While in many cultures sexual engagement is legally permitted among adults who are able to make rational judgment of love and consent, there is a hidden sexual practice in Maasai culture which exploits children inducing and coercing them to have premarital sexual engagement with adults. It permits an unmarried and uncircumcised girl to freely have sexual relations with practically any circumcised man outside her own clan. A girl is introduced to her male lover and protector-the osanja. She may also have several lovers to engage in all kinds of necking and petting provided that she should not get pregnant. Her customary sexual rights of liberty and freedom are promoted by allowing her to interact freely with her lovers in dances known as endung’oto oo ndoiye, feasts and meetings. However, in case she becomes pregnant she is ostracised from the society or circumcised and forced into marriage to an old man or a widower while the identity of the one who has impregnated her is concealed. There is also another form of sexual violence where a married man is expected to give his fellow clansmen and age-mates sexual access to his wives. Women are not allowed to resist this for fear of a curse or being divorced for disrespecting their husbands’ decisions to cohabit with the age-mates.
MATRO's Stand
MATRO vehemently opposes any form of customary premarital sexual engagement, classifying it as sexual violence. We believe that exposing minors to such practices is detrimental to their physical and psychological well-being. These harmful traditions contribute to early pregnancies, school dropouts, and long-term health issues.
We collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations, human rights advocates, and faith-based institutions to enforce laws protecting children’s rights. Our mission is to empower women and children to advocate for the abolishment of these practices, ensuring their right to health, education, and a life free from exploitation.
Empowerment Initiatives
Advocating for Women's and Children's Rights
MATRO is dedicated to empowering women and children to stand against harmful cultural practices that threaten their health, education, and fundamental rights. Through various programs, we provide the necessary tools and knowledge to advocate for the abolishment of such practices. Our initiatives focus on raising awareness, providing education, and fostering a community where every individual can exercise their rights to health, education, and a dignified life.
Partnership with Faith Institutions
Educating Youth on Human Sexuality
In partnership with faith institutions, MATRO is committed to educating youths on the sacredness of human sexuality and the importance of respecting the dignity of women. We conduct seminars and discussions that emphasize the value of human dignity and the need to view women as equals, not objects of sexual pleasure. By instilling these values in the younger generation, we aim to foster a culture of respect and equality.
Join Us in Making a Difference
Your support can transform lives. Help us protect children from exploitation and abuse by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word about MATRO’s mission. Together, we can create a safer, healthier future for the Maasai community. Act now and be a part of this vital change.