Together, we can make a difference!
FGM, female genital mutilation, is regarded as one of the most horrendous human rights abuses imaginable!
It is a harmful practice including the partial or total removal of the external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. The practice has no medical benefit and can cause catastrophic short and long-term health effects.
It is estimated that more than 200 million women and girls are living with FGM today, a gross underestimate, as this number reflects only 32 countries where reasonably accurate reporting is done. FGM is not just an Africa issue! It occurs on all continents except Antarctica. There is confirmed evidence of FGM in 92 countries (and counting).
FGM is on the doorstep of each one of us! There are more than 500,000 women and girls living with FGM in the US, with the sad reality that not all the states have legislation protecting women and girls. There are almost 600,000 girls and women living with FGM in Western Europe, and another 180,000 at risk. The countries with the highest prevalence in Western Europe are the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
FAWCO as an organization made a very brave decision to support through the Target Project, Safe Alternatives to FGM Elimination, a project of Hope for Girls and Women Tanzania. But you and I as individuals also have a role to play. In a recent blog, What You and I Can Do to Stop FGM, Hilary Burrage and I addressed important action items. I would like to highlight, in my opinion, the three most important call to actions:
- Become familiar with the topic of FGM, the 2020–2022 FAWCO Target Project and the resources offered by the Target Team to learn more about the topic by joining a screening of In the Name of Your Daughter, Target Project workshops and discussions, and reading the Target Bulletin.
- Where possible, lobby for what is needed and encourage others to collaborate. Lobbying needs to be done by everyone – survivors, activists, professionals, members of the public, at every level and across the media and across the spectrum of service delivery.
- Make sure that information/knowledge about FGM practices is shared widely, so everyone can be more effective. Share your knowledge with your family, your children, friends and in your community.
Sources:
https://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGMC_2016_brochure_final_UNICEF_SPREAD.pdf
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/female-genital-mutilation