Getting Involved
The problem with getting involved is that it can be potentially dangerous. FGM is deeply rooted within many cultures. In order to enact change, the entire culture would have to be changed. FGM is mostly associated with cultures in which men hold the power. Men do not want to ban the practice because of the ideas that the procedures make women less likely to have premarital sex or participate in adultery. It is also important to consider that many of these cultures associate FGM with womanhood. By encouraging villages to resist FGM and talking to those in power, there is the risk that these people will be put in danger.
However, through our research of different case studies that work towards ending FGM, we have compiled a list of organizations that already have successful development models. By supporting these organizations already in place that understand the cultures in which they are working with, we can participate in the fight against FGM in a safer way.
However, through our research of different case studies that work towards ending FGM, we have compiled a list of organizations that already have successful development models. By supporting these organizations already in place that understand the cultures in which they are working with, we can participate in the fight against FGM in a safer way.
One thing we found was that there is more success when local women speak out against this practice than foreigners. Here are some organizations lead by African women who are making a stand against FGM. Although what's been done to them is too late to take back, these women look towards the future and create organizations in hopes of protecting future girls.
FGM support Groups
Voices of Hope
Created by Isabella, a member of the Maasai community, who has become a leader and role model for women in her community after obtaining her Certificate in Early Childhood Development and working towards her Education degree.
Voices of Hope works to prevent Maasai girls from undergoing FGM/ forced marriages by offering them full scholarships to universities. The prospect of going to a university outweighs marriage because it proves to be more economically beneficial as it gives women a chance at a stable job. In turn, the women come back to the community after their schooling and become mentors for the younger girls. The Voices of Hope define their purpose to be "to give voice to young Maasai women while respecting the local culture" (“W4: Empower Maasai Women as Leaders to End FGM”).
“W4: Empower Maasai Women as Leaders to End FGM.” Women's World Wide Web, Women's World Wide Web, www.w4.org/en/project/empower-maasai-women-leaders-end-fgm/.
https://www.w4.org/en/project/empower-maasai-women-leaders-end-fgm/
Created by Isabella, a member of the Maasai community, who has become a leader and role model for women in her community after obtaining her Certificate in Early Childhood Development and working towards her Education degree.
Voices of Hope works to prevent Maasai girls from undergoing FGM/ forced marriages by offering them full scholarships to universities. The prospect of going to a university outweighs marriage because it proves to be more economically beneficial as it gives women a chance at a stable job. In turn, the women come back to the community after their schooling and become mentors for the younger girls. The Voices of Hope define their purpose to be "to give voice to young Maasai women while respecting the local culture" (“W4: Empower Maasai Women as Leaders to End FGM”).
“W4: Empower Maasai Women as Leaders to End FGM.” Women's World Wide Web, Women's World Wide Web, www.w4.org/en/project/empower-maasai-women-leaders-end-fgm/.
https://www.w4.org/en/project/empower-maasai-women-leaders-end-fgm/
The Hunger Project- Ethiopia
County Director Neguest Mekonmen
The Hunger Project works to recruit local community members to be "animators." Animators lead workshops in a variety of subjects to promote self-reliance. One of their most successful workshops has been in FGM. They were able to identify which regions within Ethiopia were practicing FGM the most and through conversations between respected neighbors were able to educate the health consequences to fathers, which led in a decrease in FGM procedures. (“Animators Raise Awareness About Dangers of Female Genital Mutilation”).
“Animators Raise Awareness About Dangers of Female Genital Mutilation." The Hunger Project, The Hunger Project, https://www.thp.org/news/animators-raise-awareness-about-dangers-of-female-genital-mutilation/
County Director Neguest Mekonmen
The Hunger Project works to recruit local community members to be "animators." Animators lead workshops in a variety of subjects to promote self-reliance. One of their most successful workshops has been in FGM. They were able to identify which regions within Ethiopia were practicing FGM the most and through conversations between respected neighbors were able to educate the health consequences to fathers, which led in a decrease in FGM procedures. (“Animators Raise Awareness About Dangers of Female Genital Mutilation”).
“Animators Raise Awareness About Dangers of Female Genital Mutilation." The Hunger Project, The Hunger Project, https://www.thp.org/news/animators-raise-awareness-about-dangers-of-female-genital-mutilation/
SUpport U.S. Organizations
Let Girls Learn
Created by Michelle and Barack Obama
Get involved with the Peace Corps to increase gender awareness and empower females to be “champions of girls’ education”. With more education opportunities, more girls will be empowered to voice their own opinions.
"Peace Corps." Let Girls' Learn. https://www.peacecorps.gov/about/global-initiatives/let-girls-learn/.
International Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development
Each year a young women completes higher level education it gives them a 10% increase in future income as well as healthier children and household. However with 183 million girls are not in primary and secondary schooling, this increases their chances of marrying, having children, and not maintaining income, all at a young age. By improving girls' education, it gives them empowerment and awareness to voice their human rights.
"USAID from the American People." Girls' Education. https://www.usaid.gov/education/girls .
Educate Yourself
Watch Jaha's Promise
A documentary about Jaha Dukureh, a FGM survivor, who travels back to her native village to confront the tradition in hopes of putting an end to it.
Created by Michelle and Barack Obama
Get involved with the Peace Corps to increase gender awareness and empower females to be “champions of girls’ education”. With more education opportunities, more girls will be empowered to voice their own opinions.
"Peace Corps." Let Girls' Learn. https://www.peacecorps.gov/about/global-initiatives/let-girls-learn/.
International Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
Created by the U.S. Agency for International Development
Each year a young women completes higher level education it gives them a 10% increase in future income as well as healthier children and household. However with 183 million girls are not in primary and secondary schooling, this increases their chances of marrying, having children, and not maintaining income, all at a young age. By improving girls' education, it gives them empowerment and awareness to voice their human rights.
"USAID from the American People." Girls' Education. https://www.usaid.gov/education/girls .
Educate Yourself
Watch Jaha's Promise
A documentary about Jaha Dukureh, a FGM survivor, who travels back to her native village to confront the tradition in hopes of putting an end to it.
Sources
“Animators Raise Awareness About Dangers of Female Genital Mutilation." The Hunger Project, The Hunger Project, https://www.thp.org/news/animators-raise-awareness-about-dangers-of-female-genital-mutilation/
"Peace Corps." Let Girls' Learn. https://www.peacecorps.gov/about/global-initiatives/let-girls-learn/.
"USAID from the American People." Girls' Education. https://www.usaid.gov/education/girls
“W4: Empower Maasai Women as Leaders to End FGM.” Women's World Wide Web, Women's World Wide Web, www.w4.org/en/project/empower-maasai-women-leaders-end-fgm/.
"Peace Corps." Let Girls' Learn. https://www.peacecorps.gov/about/global-initiatives/let-girls-learn/.
"USAID from the American People." Girls' Education. https://www.usaid.gov/education/girls
“W4: Empower Maasai Women as Leaders to End FGM.” Women's World Wide Web, Women's World Wide Web, www.w4.org/en/project/empower-maasai-women-leaders-end-fgm/.