FAWCO’s Target Project Working to Achieve UN SDGs

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FAWCO’s Target Project Working to Achieve UN SDGs

Laurie Richardson 10 May 2020

According to the UN, at least 200 million girls and women have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries where the practice is concentrated. There has been some progress: in these countries, the prevalence of this harmful practice declined 25% between 2000 and 2018. Recently, the government of Sudan criminalized FGM, another step towards achieving better health and lives for women and girls.

In the Mara region of Tanzania, 32% of women have undergone FGM. Only 21% have attended secondary school. Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania works to improve the health and well-being of girls and women beyond protecting them from FGM. They provide free medical exams and HIV testing for safe house residents. In addition, they support women’s entrepreneurship by offering free vocational training in fields such as tailoring and computer skills. Women can use their new skills to generate income and become valued providers for their families, increasing their independence, and making them less vulnerable to forced marriage and FGM.

Together, through the Target Program, FAWCO members can have a significant impact on global issues and support the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Let’s look at the Target Project S.A.F.E. (Safe Alternatives for Female Genital Mutilation), a project of Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania, to see how our contributions to the Target Project help achieve multiple SDGs. This also serves as an example of the interlinkages between the SDGs. Efforts to achieve any of the SDGs can lead to achieving so much more, making holistic improvements in the lives of women and girls.

What differences can it make in a girl's life if she is not cut?

First, she will be able to live a healthier life without the bleeding and infection that result from FGM. If she goes on to become a mother, she will have far better chance of a healthy delivery without the complications which come with FGM (SDG#3, Improved Health and Well-Being).

Because she is healthier, she will be able to stay in school and get an education (SDG#4 Quality Education).

With an education, she will have a better opportunity to find a good job (SDG#8 Decent Work and Economic Growth and earn an income, which in turn will lead to more economic equality in the community (SDG#10 Reduced Inequalities).

With better health and education and decent work, she will be able to stay out of poverty and have enough to eat (SDG#1 No Poverty and SDG #2 Zero Hunger).