As The Girl Generation-ALM Programme enters its fifth year of implementation, we sat down with Dr. Jacinta Muteshi-Stratchan to reflect on the powerful lessons, achievements, and the future of the end female genital mutilation (FGM) movement.
1. What are some emerging lessons and evidence from the programme about what works—or does not work—in ending FGM?
At this stage, we are seeing that long-term, locally led interventions are truly making a difference. Communities are sharing that sustained, consistent engagement over several years is crucial for shifting attitudes, though full abandonment of FGM will require even more time and continued efforts.
Religious leaders, health workers, women’s groups, and community elders remain essential in creating a supportive environment for change. Yet, we’re also witnessing youth and survivors take on more leadership roles, amplifying the movement in powerful new ways.
What’s become clear is that it’s not just about sharing knowledge—it’s about creating safe spaces where communities can question and reflect on deeply held social norms. Tailoring these dialogues to local contexts, whether through Enkang Dialogues (household discussions) or intergenerational forums, has been a game-changer.
True transformation happens when we bring families, schools, religious institutions, and entire communities into the conversation. FGM is no longer just a women’s issue, but a community issue.
But perhaps most crucially, centering girls and survivors at the forefront of advocacy has been transformative. Their lived experiences build trust and create lasting change. That said, this leadership must be supported with robust safeguards, psychosocial support, and mentorship to ensure emotional well–being and resilience. Reframing FGM as gender-based violence has also brought a heightened sense of urgency, driving both community action and stronger policy responses
2. What lessons has the programme learned from implementing activities in conflict-affected areas?
In conflict-affected areas like Amhara (Ethiopia), Somaliland, and Garissa (Kenya), TGG-ALM has made significant strides despite the challenges. One key lesson has been the importance of flexibility and adaptation. When conflict disrupted school-based clubs in Amhara, we quickly pivoted to community-led, youth-driven activities, ensuring that conversations and mentorship continued even during instability.
We’ve also learned the power of reaching the most vulnerable. Our grants have supported grassroots efforts in rural and often neglected areas, where few donors reach. By staying engaged, even in volatile times, we’ve been able to protect and empower girls who are most at risk.
Finally, a strong risk management approach has been essential. With dedicated security focal points, continuous risk assessments, and safety protocols in place, we’ve been able to continue our vital work while prioritizing the safety of our staff and the communities we serve.
3. How has cross-border collaboration strengthened efforts to end FGM?
Ending FGM requires a collaborative effort that transcends national borders. One of the most impactful strategies has been securing regional declarations and political commitments. For instance, advocacy helped secure formal agreements from border-region governors in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau to work together on abandoning FGM, establishing joint monitoring committees, and regulating the movement of practitioners.
We’ve also seen the power of continental movements, like the Saleema Initiative. Through inter-ministerial meetings between countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda, a costed regional action plan was adopted to harmonize laws, raise awareness, and improve coordination across borders.
However, challenges remain. The differences in legal frameworks and political will, such as Mali’s lack of an FGM ban, highlight the need for more consistent and robust collaboration. Cross-border efforts are vital to creating lasting change.
4. Why is survivor leadership central to ending FGM?
Survivor leadership is at the heart of ending FGM because survivors bring a lived understanding that no one else can match. When they lead, they build trust within communities, inspire through authentic advocacy, and create movements that are sustainable and deeply rooted in personal experience
However, survivor leadership requires more than just the opportunity to lead. It must be backed by emotional support systems. TGG-ALM, through its Survivor Leadership Initiative, is committed to strengthening the emotional resilience of survivor leaders through training in basic counseling skills, mentorship, and access to psychosocial care. This is essential to prevent burnout and ensure sustained leadership.
As the Team Lead for TGG-ALM puts it:
“It is not enough to abandon harmful social norms that sustain violence or harm. Equally as important are creating new norms that strengthen the autonomy and agency of women and girls, keep girls in school, provide safe platforms for survivors to lead movements, uphold health as a human right, and make young girls’ aspirations a reality.” This approach, grounded in survivor leadership, is how we move toward real change.
5. How do partnerships enhance the movement to end FGM?
Partnerships are at the heart of this movement. Ending FGM requires collaboration across different levels; grassroots organizations, survivor-led groups, governments, donors, researchers, and even the private sector. Each actor brings unique strengths, and when we work together, we don’t just add value, we catalyze impact. It is through these layered partnerships that we influence policy, shift social norms, and drive lasting change. Ending FGM is not the work of one actor alone; it is the collective effort that sustains and propels the movement forward.
6. In today’s challenging funding and political landscape, what message do you have for activists?
While the current global environment has been disruptive, I believe it also presents a critical opportunity. The moment demands that we rethink our approach — not just as individuals, but collectively as organizations, funders, and activists. Instead of relying solely on traditional donor models, we must begin to look within. It’s time to engage African philanthropists, regional institutions, and continental bodies more seriously. We need to ask: what would it take to make this shift truly catalytic for our work? Those of us committed to ending FGM and advancing girls’ rights can see how vital this will be. This crisis could, in fact, help us manufacture a new trend — one where African-led funding and ownership drive the movement forward.
7. What does the hashtag #MyPowerMyVoice2Lead mean to you?
#MyPowerMyVoice2EndFGM has always been at the core of our movement—especially in amplifying the call to end FGM. But with #MyPowerMyVoice2Lead, we’re expanding that message. It’s about passing the baton of leadership to grassroots organizations and survivor-led groups who’ve been the heartbeat of this work. Even as the programme comes to a close, this isn’t the end—it’s a beginning. We’ve invested in their capacity, leadership, and storytelling so they can remain at the forefront, shaping the narrative, engaging their communities, and sustaining momentum. This isn’t a departure from #MyPowerMyVoice2EndFGM, but a powerful evolution. It’s about standing alongside them and saying: you have the power, you have the voice, and now, you lead.
8. As we head into the final stretch, what are you most proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of our three flagship initiatives. First, our approach to granting—small, flexible grants—has been powerful in building and recognizing movements, particularly at the grassroots where innovation often thrives. Second, the Survivor Leadership Initiative has been transformational in placing the voices and leadership of survivors at the center of the movement. And third, our commitment to continuous learning: through regular virtual convenings, peer learning sessions, consultations with grantee partners and survivors, and systematic reviews of community-based activities. These processes have not only deepened our collective knowledge but also ensured that lessons learned feed directly back into strengthening the work on the ground.
Final Note:
As we reflect on the journey, we are proud of the unwavering commitment to putting girls and survivors at the center of everything we do. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible team that has kept us focused on evidence, learning, and innovation, ensuring that our approach remains rooted in the leadership of those most affected. It’s not just about the programs we run, but about empowering those who will carry the torch forward with strength, resilience, and unwavering resolve.
