Moving Experience Forward: Progress and Hope from the 2nd International FGM Conference

As we approach the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, it’s an inspiring moment to reflect on the remarkable outcomes of the 2nd International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, from October 9th to 11th, under the theme Change in a Generation.

The Girl Generation acknowledges the African Union and the Government of the Republic of Tanzania for their pivotal role in hosting the event.  The conference aimed to assess the progress in eradicating FGM/C in Africa. According to UNICEF, the global magnitude of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is estimated to be over 200 million girls and women distributed across over 30 countries with an estimated average of 3 million girls being at risk of undergoing FGM/C annually, and this is despite the global commitment to end FGM/C by 2030.

This was also a time for activists, frontline advocates, governments, and CSOs working in the end FGM/C movement to renew their commitments and network to forge a stronger front in End FGM/C.  The collective efforts of international, regional, national, and local organizations, along with the passionate involvement of youth and children’s activists, united in a powerful call for the immediate elimination of FGM/C. In the words of Dr. Colleen Murray, a professor of sociology and interdisciplinary social psychology, “The window of opportunity to intervene is shrinking as girls in many countries are cut at younger ages.”

For The Girl Generation, the conference provided the programme with an opportunity to have representation from all four focal countries (Kenya, Somaliland, Ethiopia, and Senegal). Our panel discussions gave opportunities to community members, survivors, and grantee partners to speak about their experiences within the different workstreams. “Our panel discussions deviated from having industry ‘experts’ and gave platforms to grassroots leaders and survivors to speak and share their experiences, lessons, and what more needs to be done to end FGM/C,” said Ann Njuguna, the Communications Manager for TGG-ALM.

The Global Research Agenda on FGM/C breakout session, posed the question: why is research important? Historically, the end FGM/C field has faced challenges in securing funding for research, particularly in operations research. However, there is a critical need for synergy between evidence generation, programming, and policy development. It is important to note that research generates evidence that informs effective strategies and allows programmes to focus their efforts with clarity. This is exemplified in our girl-centered programming, which prioritizes addressing the specific needs, challenges, and aspirations of girls by centering their voices, experiences, and insights in the programming cycle.

The Unlocking Integration session saw community members and partners speak about the need to integrate FGM//C interventions into development programmes. Dr. Shifra from Amref Health Africa said, “Communities where we implement FGM/C projects also have other needs such as water and empower women through both knowledge and economically.”

Dr. Kimani from the Africa Coordinating Center for the Abandonment of FGM/C (ACCAF) stressed the importance of integration in ensuring sustainability and maximizing resources to prevent projects from closing when funding ends. “ACCAF has developed a comprehensive health curriculum which targets pre and in-service medical professionals with skills to prevent and respond to FGM/C issues. Through this curriculum, more than 100 faculty members in three countries have been trained within one year. We are continuously engaging schools to integrate #EndFGM into school health programmes.”

Our spotlight breakout session, ‘Sustaining Impact – Shifting Power through participatory grant-making’, recognised the unique value of grassroots organisations in challenging the deep-seated social norms of FGM/C and acknowledged their funding challenges.

Nasrin from Somaliland said, “Grassroots organisations are hardly present in decision-making processes, yet we know what the community needs to implement gender-sensitive programmes. Grassroots organisations must be allowed to make decisions on what to implement through grants provided, as grassroots organizations can design and focus efforts on what would work to end FGM/C”.

Calleb, the Grants Lead spoke about the granting process and mentioned it requires patience since the process is participatory. “Our grants model is co-creation, and we engage with communities to make decisions on which organisations can access the grants. We also strengthen the capacity of institutions so that they can access grants.”

“It is challenging to note the constraints donors place on small organisations,” said Susan Gibbs from Wallace Global Fund.  “We need to continue working with programmes or organisations that connect donors to grassroots organisations and front-line activists. We are currently reviewing the FGM/C funding landscape to enable us to understand more about the funding landscape and gaps.”

Our session on Social Norms Transformation saw partners and grassroots organisations speak on the need to ensure that women and girls who are at risk are put at the forefront to advocate for an end to FGM/C. “Gender transformation is about empowering marginalized girls and women to come out in the public domain, share their perspectives, take on leadership roles, and participate in political agenda.  Gender transformation challenges any form of GBV.” Said Dorothy Mulei, the Gender Lead for TGG-ALM.

Amina, from Isiolo Women’s Rights Organisation in Kenya, said, “If a woman is not economically empowered, she has no voice. We decided to begin Village, Savings, and Loans Associations (VSLAs), which has led to the formation of  250 groups with a substantial amount of savings. This has made women have a voice and be at the decision-making table including advocating for #EndFGM in our community.”

Dr Jacinta, the Team Lead for The Girl Generation Programme chaired a high panel inter-ministerial dialogue on ending cross-border FGM/C. The panel which had representation from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda, highlighted strategies that countries are using to tackle cross-border FGM/C.

Important to note from this discussion is the need for standardized definitions and terminologies related to FGM/C to ensure all countries are on the same page. It was also clear that harmonising laws and penalties can discourage cross-border FGM/C. Additionally, there was a call for countries to implement cross-border hotlines and for the donor community to increase funding.

As we get into this year’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence whose theme is ‘UNITE! Invest to prevent violence against women and girls,’ we encourage individuals and like-minded organizations to demonstrate their commitment to ending violence against women and girls by sharing their actions toward a violence-free world.

Wise Words from delegates of the AU Conference

“I’m a father of girls and I decided that they will not go through FGM/C. I advocate against the practice from an informed point of view, since I have been equipped with knowledge of the negative impacts of FGM/C including forced marriages. It is not a one-man show but a collective effort toward ending FGM/C.” Chief Reson- Kenya.

“To halt the transmission of the practice into the next generation, the attitudes of young girls’ parents are especially important”- Colleen Murray.

“Previously, women had no voices, and men are now supporting us. For me, when my husband knew, I was going to board a plane for the first time, he woke me up and escorted me. Looking back, I was not allowed to have a mobile phone, or even participate in family planning. I have 2 daughters and 1 boy, and my girls will not be cut. My daughter is a champion in school.” Amina, a survivor of FGM/C from Kenya.

It’s good to see survivors being given platforms to speak at these major conferences. Our voices are key as we share personal experiences and advocate for an end to FGM/C. When we went through this act, we didn’t know much about its effects. We now advocate as survivors and speak out about the consequences of this negative practice.” – FGM/C Survivor from Senegal.

“The localisation agenda should equip champions with adequate knowledge including health implications of FGM/C on girls and women”- Halima from Plan International Kenya.

As a survivor of FGM/C, I was overtaken by fear, pain, disappointment, and bitterness, because nobody prepares a girl for what FGM/C is. I piled my emotions and locked them inside of me because nobody asked me how the experience was. I have now discovered my self-worth. I’m now a courageous woman. The Survivors’ Leadership Initiative helped me re-evaluate myself.” Mumina- Kenya.

The age of subjecting girls to FGM/C is as low as 10 months in Ethiopia, which is disheartening. We engage health providers in pre and ante-natal care to provide them with the necessary information for ending FGM/C. FGM/C must be integrated at various levels in development programmes and the Ministry of Health should be included- Selamawit, The Women’s Rights Manager- ActionAid Ethiopia.

“Why invest in girls and women? It breaks down intergenerational poverty that comes from households.” Charles Nyukuri, The Regional Policy Advocacy and Research Advisor- Plan International.

“We need to know that movement building in Africa is what will help us to eliminate FGM/C. There is an urgency to have this network in Africa, we need to come together and create the disruption to create change. Youth are ready to create that disruption and they will not give up until they see the change they are calling for.” Dr. Costly Aderibigbe – Executive Secretary, Global Youth Consortium against FGM.

“If we are coordinated as a movement, we can be led with evidence, we can consolidate efforts, and we can address shared issues in the fight against FGM/C”: Susan Otieno – Executive Director, ActionAid Kenya.

“We understand that FGM/C is not only a girls and women issue but a community issue which men and boys should be a part of.” AbdiJabar- Call4Change.

“There’s much that organisations can integrate to push end FGM/C. It is important to join power with other resource persons at the community level so that girls can be supported well at the community level. A network of women is like the ears and feet of girls in communities- strengthening these networks is key.” Jane- UN Women Uganda.

“Male engagements build solidarity and alliances for men and boys and builds responsibility and accountability.” Mohamed- Somaliland.

#16Days #EndFGM #InvestDontRest #ChangeInAGeneration