FGM Zero Tolerance Day

FGM ZERO TOLERANCE DAY: NO TIME FOR GLOBAL INACTION ON FGM

By Shalom Adebanjo-Akers and Stella Muiruri

February 6 is International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The designation of such an important day aids in the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goal target which aims to eliminate the practice by 2030. In commemorating the International Day of Zero Tolerance, the Utulivu Women’s Group, ACRE and Partners held a conversation facilitated by an FGM trainer Cecily Mwaniki on February 11, which centred around the global campaign to end FGM. FGM is a topic that is often seen as taboo to talk about, and people often do not understand how vital a role they play in the fight to eliminate the practice, especially the importance of bringing in male voices to such conversations.

Despite the limits of the current climate, large numbers signed up for the conversation, which provided attendees with the opportunity to be a part of the online conversation, with a view to unite, educate and act in order to remind one another of the issues affecting women who have been through FGM. During the conversation, participants were asked about their FGM awareness to which 54% responded with ‘very well’, 38% ‘fairly well’ and 8% ‘not well’.

So, what is FGM?

The World Health Organisation defines Female Genital Mutilation as, harming or removing all or part of the external female genitalia. There are 4 types: Type 1: Clitoridectomy - Involves the removal of the clitoris

Type 2: Excision - Involves the remove of the clitoris and the labia

Type 3: Infibulation - Involves Narrowing or stitching of the vaginal opening Type 4: Any other harmful procedures that are not included in the first three categories such as pricking, stretching, among others.

FGM is child abuse, it is gender-based violence and is part of a continuum of female body and sexuality control, although often carried out by women, it is for the benefit of men. Some of the reasons often cited for its continuation include: • the belief that it is a religious requirement, though no religious text requires this • cultural ideals of modesty, including cleanliness There are no health benefits of FGM, rather the physical and psychological effects are severe and can often lead to death.

Why is it important to keep the conversation going?

FGM affects at least 200 million women and girls in at least 90 countries globally, though the figures do not represent the true scale. It is estimated that 137,000 women and girls are living with the consequences of FGM in the UK, with a further 60,000 girls at risk. Due to the Covid pandemic it is estimated that an additional 2 million girls are thought to be at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation by 2030. It is vital for the global community as a whole, to reimagine a world that enables women and girls to be able to have a voice, choice and control over their lives. During the meeting, which became a space for learning, the participants shared and identified their experiences and feelings. • Victor, a participant, reflected on his experience in attempting to speak out against the practice stating that he was often told to be quiet at his abhorrence of the continuation of the practice. He stressed the importance of bringing men’s voices to the conversation stating, “if men were involved in these conversations, the practice could end sooner.” He said that oftentimes men are not aware of the circumstances surrounding

FGM, adding that when they were made aware of the harm of the practice, they were often saddened by it and less likely to endorse it in the future. Furthermore, he noted that men are the ones who contribute to the stigma surrounding FGM, therefore, the inclusion of boys and men can play a vital role in the prevention and abandonment of the practice. • Another panellist, Hadiatu, who works to empower young girls and help them learn to advocate for their right to bodily integrity, spoke of the pressures young girls received from society, which dictated a status quo regardless of the viewpoint of those involved.

Highlighting a particular region in Sierra Leone,

Hadiatu said that girls would be taught how to perform certain acts, such as cooking and cleaning, only if they had undergone FGM, thus ensuring daughters were fully indoctrinated into the patriarchal society. She

spoke of the need to find an alternative way to usher girls into womanhood without the pain of FGM. The conversation was well received by all who attended, with general awareness of the practice increasing by 20%, leaving a desire to continue the conversation. Key suggestions were made in order to help eliminate FGM which include:

• the need to create safe spaces for all voices to share experiences and learn. • the importance of youth involvement in the fight against FGM • the need to support grassroots organisations. • the importance of using men as allies in the fight to end FGM.

• the promotion of actions that support the participation of migrant women and counter isolation of cultural actions.

It is only through an understanding of the complex cultural, social and economic factors involved in the continuation of the practice, that we can truly end it. It is also important to continue to speak out and educate one another so that we can end the practice in a generation, and most importantly to engage affected communities.

How can you help end FGM?

• Challenge Myths surrounding FGM • Speak Out about the risks of FGM • Educate girls on their rights to decide what happens to their bodies

• Raise Awareness

FGM support:

Acre - http://www.acre-reading.org/ Utulivu - https://www.utulivu.co.uk NSPCC - Offers 24hr service for information/advice 0800 028 3550 (FGM Helpline) – Email: fgmhelp@ nspcc.org.uk Call the police on 999 - If someone you know is at immediate risk of being cut or taken to overseas to be cut.

ACTS OF KINDNESS:

By Mojatu Team Here at Mojatu, supporting women in our community is one of our top priorities. In celebration of international women’s day 2021, we decided to create a project that would celebrate women and help bring them together in this period of isolation that has made life harder for many of us.

Although this year the theme for international women’s day was #choosetochallenge, in which women, girls and anyone who is living and breathing was encouraged to stand up to and call out gender inequality and bias, we wanted to offer some relief from the everyday struggles that women face.

We set out to spread the word of our letter exchange, in which women and girls would write a letter containing something that they think another woman or girl may enjoy. This could be anything from a recipe to a poem, book recommendations or a drawing of their favourite place!

These letters would then be sent to us via email, printed off, and we would then be in charge of sending out the letters to make sure that every person who sent one to us received one to their door. As a result of the pandemic, many of us have experienced increased anxiety and isolation. We thought this would be a great way to offer women some distraction and the excitement of receiving something in the post. It was also an excellent opportunity to be able to share a passion with someone else at a time where meeting new people is almost impossible.

Hopefully, people could pick up a new hobby or interest thanks to another woman or girl, therefore facilitating the support and celebration of another woman, whoever she may be. Despite our endless individualities and unique qualities as women, we must be united for us women to achieve full equality.

Mojatu’s acts of kindness were our way of recognising all of our different interests and cultures and allowed for another woman to take part in or learn about someone else’s.

We hope that everyone who took part enjoyed the experience and has learnt something new. Despite international women’s day only existing for one day a year, Mojatu chooses to support and celebrate women every day.