In June 2025, The Girl Generation-ALM convened its Strategic and Technical Advisory Group of Experts (STAGE) meeting in Nairobi, Kenya. The two-day gathering brought together girl council representatives from Sengeal,Somaliland, Kenya and Ethiopia who joined virtually technical experts, and programme leadership to reflect, strategize, and align for the programme’s final year.
STAGE plays a vital role in steering TGG-ALM’s work to end FGM by providing thought leadership, technical guidance, and diverse insights rooted in lived realities and professional expertise.
Key Highlights
Leadership Transition
The meeting marked a leadership transition as Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell handed over the STAGE chair to Sarafina Loriakwe. Dr. Faith encouraged members to remain steadfast in the vision to end FGM and acknowledged the collective wisdom within the group. Sarafina, joining virtually, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing the need to build resilience and empower women and girls to know and exercise their rights.
Celebrating Programme Achievements
Participants reflected on TGG-ALM’s achievements showcased through powerful videos capturing grassroots change, cross-generational dialogue, and survivor leadership across countries. Members emphasized the importance of ensuring campaign materials and knowledge products are accessible in local languages to amplify impact and sustainability.
Girls Council Experiences
Girl council members shared experiences from Kenya, Somaliland, and Senegal, highlighting initiatives such as establishing health clubs in schools, involving persons with disabilities in advocacy, and mobilizing local radio to spread anti-FGM messages. Discussions explored community entry points, leadership structures within girl councils, and the role of women’s self-help groups in advancing conversations on FGM abandonment.
Setting Year Five Priorities
The meeting outlined key priorities for TGG-ALM’s final year, focusing on:
• Scaling sustainable interventions
• Amplifying global public goods like the Power of Language position paper
• Strengthening advocacy and movement-building efforts
• Integrating safeguarding and FGM prevention into health and education systems
