A U.K.-funded program is helping to end female genital mutilation (FGM), starting in Kenya, according to Positive.News.
This independent news site focuses on positive stories and recently interviewed members of The Girl Generation. The highlighted organization was formed to create “an accelerated reduction in the practice of FGM/C in focus countries by 2025.”
It was designed by Leyla Hussein, a Somali-born British survivor of FGM. Hussein noted that she wished to create a movement that was driven by those most affected by the practice.
She said that previous campaigns to end FGM were “colonised by men – always a conversation with community or religious leaders. No one was listening to the survivors.”
Her new approach is survivor-centric. This displays FGM as a violent practice that strips women of their human rights.
FGM is deeply rooted in cultural traditions because it is seen as a rite of passage. Uncut women are considered “dirty and unmarriageable.”
But Hussein noted that “language is key.”
By focusing on survivors, groups of women can come together and share their stories and explore the harm done by the act of female circumcision. Hussein stated, “Putting a sharp object to a child’s genitalia is an act of sexual assault.”
According to the WHO, FGM causes severe bleeding, infections, urinary problems, severe pain, shock, increased childbirth complications, and even death. It states, “FGM has no health benefits, and it harms girls and women in many ways.”
The psychological effects are also noted in the Positive.News article. Survivors have described experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, anger, substance abuse, and relationship complications.
An estimated 200 million women have experienced FGM. The Girl Generation based their operations in Nairobi last March and began to work with just 20 women, but they have a five-year plan to change this tradition and receive public support to end FGM.
@TheGirlGen is conducting a groundbreaking training on cross-border issues of #FGM in the political context of ECOWAS in Saly, Senegal. With the active participation of 25 members of the Senegalese National Assembly contributing ? pic.twitter.com/mTXqOxmIXV
— The Girl Generation (@TheGirlGen) July 10, 2023
On Monday, the group tweeted about their progress stating “@TheGirlGen is conducting a groundbreaking training on cross-border issues of #FGM in the political context of ECOWAS in Saly, Senegal. With the active participation of 25 members of the Senegalese National Assembly contributing.”
@SadearH says 'We will speak out of experience to #EndFGM across the world.' Join us at our side event this #WD2023 as we talk about #GirlsAtTheCentre of #EndFGM pic.twitter.com/6XUiFZIjxo
— The Girl Generation (@TheGirlGen) July 12, 2023
They are also holding a conference to aid the cause next week at the Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda.
