Multimedia Collection
Rites of Passage
VHS
30 min
1994
HQ798 .R54 1994
This documentary presents the stories of the coming of age of four girls from Nicaragua, India, Jamaica, and Burkino Faso, West Africa. It illustrates that puberty is too often the beginning of a life of abuse and early death in many societies.
Many children orphaned by war in Nicaragua, such as Aleyda, have turned to glue-sniffing and prostitution. In India, Tarranum leaves school at the age of nine to keep house for her parents until she reaches marriageable age.
Fourteen-year-old Natalyn of Jamaica is seven months pregnant. Through the Women's Center, she learns to care for her baby and complete her education.
Female circumcision is an integral part of the culture of the small West African country of Burkino Faso. This final segment describes efforts of the government and community leaders to convince people to end the dangerous practice.
Distributed by Maryknoll World Productions (www.maryknollworld.org).
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