Each year on February 6, the world marks the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)—a day of reflection, action, and recommitment. For The Girl Generation, this year’s commemorations showed what it means to transform words into action in support of the year’s theme, ‘Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to end FGM’
Here’s a glimpse into the events from ZTD 2025 across the countries where The Girl Generation and its partners are making change happen.
Senegal: Cross-Border Unity, Community Voices
In Senegal, the UK Embassy, which was present for the commemoration, appreciated the local event as a powerful window into how the programme is being implemented on the ground. The gathering brought together 27 stakeholders, including the Ministry of Youth, girl champions, survivors, disability advocates, and development partners such as UNICEF, Plan International, and AMREF.
The discussions centred on:
1. Learning Brief on key roles of Girl Champions in ending FGM in Senegal
Consortium partners in Senegal recently published a Learning Brief on key roles of Girl Champions in ending FGM in Senegal. Find the brief here in French and in English.
The event provided TGG-ALM consortium partners with an opportunity to showcase the importance of supporting survivors of FGM and girls’ champions in raising awareness on the elimination of FGM, and how this strategy is crucial in changing attitudes toward FGM.
Key learnings shared included:
- Data from TGG-ALM in Senegal, which suggests that girls’ champions, particularly when given targeted training, mentoring and ongoing support, are powerful drivers of change to end FGM. Their leadership has helped communities to openly discuss and question FGM, leading to a greater willingness to abandon this violence.
• Survivors’ testimonies have a particular impact, as they lend legitimacy to awareness-raising efforts and encourage local leaders, midwives and former FGM practitioners to join the movement.
• Integrating the girls’ champions into community structures and partnering with local NGOs and public institutions strengthens sustainability. Ongoing capacity development and inclusive engagement is essential. The involvement of influential figures such as grandmothers and religious leaders further amplifies the impact of involving girls’ champions in efforts toward the abandonment of FGM.
2. Progress and Prospects from the Regional Coalition for the Elimination of FGM
The Coalition, created through the support of Amref Health Africa, aims to maintain the gains made in the fight against FGM and to perpetuate the fight to abandon this violence. The coalition has created cross-border alliances with countries bordering the Kolda region such as Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, and the Gambia.
Some of the activities carried out under the coalition include:
- Meetings with Administrative and Local authorities (Governors, Prefects, Mayors).
- Advocacy with the Police, Customs, Gendarmerie and Health Services.
- Consolidation of sub-regional alliances with Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, and Guinea.
A key result obtained so far is an Official commitment from the Gambian Administrative Authorities responsible for social affairs to set up cross-border committees.
Key outcomes included:
- The partners recognised the programme’s role in fostering leadership, strengthening and expanding the movement
- The event showcased the importance of amplifying community voices through learning and advocacy initiatives, reinforcing the programme’s impact in strengthening the movement at the national level
- The discussions highlighted the inclusive nature of the programme, engaging key stakeholders at both national and regional levels.
- Positive feedback was shared on cross-border efforts, particularly through the Regional Coalition of Kolda.
- Activities are positively influencing neighbouring countries like Gambia and Guinea, underscoring the need for stronger cross-border collaboration
Kenya: Youth Voices Lead the Way
On February 4, TGG-ALM and the Youth Anti-FGM Network of Kenya (YANK) hosted a vibrant online webinar, amplifying youth perspectives across continents. With 120 participants from Kenya, Nigeria, the UK, Senegal, and Asia, the conversation explored how young leaders are using art, social media, and grassroots action to challenge FGM. Sign language and French interpretation ensured accessibility for all.
The CEO of Kenya’s Anti-FGM Board applauded the youth’s servant leadership, urging them to keep documenting their work, sharing stories, and learning together. TGG-ALM also shared Guidelines for Engaging with FGM survivors—one of many Global Public Goods that continue to shape best practices in the anti-FGM movement.
On the ground, ActionAid Kenya marked Zero Tolerance Day with field activities in Garissa and Meru, including the launch of the Bura East Sub County Anti-FGM Steering Committee and the presentation of a youth communiqué to senior government officials.
While in Narok County, change is taking root in the healthcare sector. TGG-ALM, through the Africa Coordinating Center for the Abandonment of FGM (ACCAF), hosted the British High Commission leadership team at the Nairagie Enkare FGM Model Health Facility, where over 209 lecturers have trained 3,000+ future health workers in survivor-centered care. As Deputy High Commissioner Leigh Stubblefield put it, this initiative is a game-changer—integrating FGM prevention into maternal health training is not just saving lives, it’s rewriting the future. The team also visited St. Anthony’s school, to experience an Anti-FGM school club. The school clubs have given boys and girls an opportunity to access accurate knowledge about the dangers, myths, and misconceptions of FGM, leading to a strong commitment to protecting future generations and reducing intentions to continue the violence. The boys and girls have emerged as champions and role models in their communities, actively advocating for an end to FGM and inspiring others to join the movement for change. In Kenya, a total of 65 schools are participating in TGG-ALMs schools clubs across Narok, Isiolo and Garissa. So far, more than 5,000 boys and girls continue to participate in these clubs.
Somaliland: Advocacy alone is not enough! We need legal frameworks
ActionAid Somaliland convened a high-level stakeholder event in Somaliland, uniting government ministries, activists, and survivors. The message was that advocacy alone isn’t enough, legal frameworks are urgently needed to hold perpetrators accountable and protect girls.
Survivors shared painful truths, while legal experts called for comprehensive anti-FGM legislation. The event strengthened the resolve for collaborative, multi-sectoral action, with participants reaffirming that only united efforts can dismantle the systems that allow FGM to persist.
In September 2024, Somaliland signed its first-ever Anti-FGM Policy, (In Somali)paving the way for legislation and drafting of an Anti-FGM Bill. (Anti-FGM Policy Press-Statement)
United Kingdom: Reframing FGM as Violence
In London, TGG-ALM co-hosted a powerful event with The Vavengers titled “We Have No Tolerance.” Two panels, one on the UK’s domestic response, the other on international progress, dug deep into the power of language and justice.
Dr. Leyla Hussein and Sema Gornall urged a shift in how we talk about FGM. “It is not culture—it is violence,” said Sema. “Language matters because it shapes urgency.”
The UK has made notable strides: FGM is now treated as a serious sexual crime, and the Crown Prosecution Service is actively reframing cases in court. Yet speakers warned against complacency. “Not having justice makes it feel justified,” shared Warda Mohamed. The consensus? Survivors must lead this movement, and governments must fund—not just write—policies that work.
Ethiopia: Youth Take the Mic
On February 18, ActionAid Ethiopia organized a youth and survivor led dialogue that brought young women and girls to the forefront. They didn’t just share experiences they proposed bold solutions.
From legal gaps to community norms, participants examined the many layers of FGM. They pitched new ideas from awareness campaigns to storytelling initiatives and gained national media attention along the way.
Something that stood out was a group of girls who are transforming pain into purpose, reminding us that empowered young people are not just the future of the movement and they are the present.
Watch the National media news coverage of the event here (In Amharic)
Across Borders, A Movement in Motion
From Narok to Addis, Dakar to Hargeisa it was evident that the anti-FGM movement is gaining momentum and it’s being led by the people most affected.
Here are a few takeaways to carry forward:
- Survivors must be at the center. Their stories, leadership, and healing journeys are the backbone of real change.
- Language shapes action. Let’s call FGM what it is—violence—and ensure every sector responds accordingly.
- Cross-border collaboration is crucial. Harm doesn’t stop at borders. Neither should our advocacy.
- Health systems matter. Integrating prevention into medical education is saving lives and reshaping care.
- Laws are essential—but implementation is everything.
As we reflect on this year’s Zero Tolerance Day, we’re reminded that it’s not a single moment—it’s a movement. One that spans continents, generations, and sectors. And one that continues to grow stronger when we walk together.
