1. Background (brief history)

Tostan is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 by Molly Melching. It works with local and international partners to foster community-driven sustainable development in Senegal, Ginea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and The Gambia. It works through a Community Empowerment Program, which selects 17-member Community Management Committees, trained in project management and social mobilization skills. These Committees advocate for human rights, raise awareness and help implement the NGO’s programs in its areas of action.

 

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   2. Areas of expertise

Through the Community Empowerment Program, Tostan address these areas:

• Education

• Governance

• Health

• Economic growth and

• Other cross-cutting issues.

 

   3. Strengths in the ICPD

Among other initiatives, Tostan has been strongly advocating against Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage. Through the CEP, the NGO discusses the right to health, hygiene and the health risks of these practices. Rather than blaming, they encourage dialogue and ask participants to speak to their friends and families. When the communities decide to abandon such practices, Tostan helps them announce publicly, motivating other communities to do the same.

 

   4. Quality assurance/ previous evaluation

The organization has various international prizes, such as the Thomas J. Dodd Prize in International Justice and Human Rights (2015), and the Jury Special Prix in Individual Philanthropy, by BNP Paribas, Tostan’s founder, Molly Melching (also 2015). In addition, the NGO also has recognized partners like UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and UNFPA.

 

   5. Experience in South-South Cooperation initiatives

As abovementioned, Tostan has exported its model from Senegal, where it was founded, to five other neighboring countries (Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Mauritania and The Gambia), where it works with local and international partners. Other than that, however, no records of previous South-South Cooperation initiatives were found.