STEPPING UP THE PACE: UNITING AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
As we observe this year’s International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), MIHRE stands firm in its advocacy against this harmful practice. FGM is a fundamental violation of women’s rights and a serious threat to their health, affecting both the physical and emotional well-being of girls and women.
This years theme, “Stepping Up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM,” underscores the urgent need for collaboration in eliminating this deeply rooted practice.
At MIHRE, we are committed to advancing women’s health and rights. We recognize FGM as a harmful cultural practice that demands immediate action. That’s why we are intensifying our efforts to raise awareness, mobilize communities, and push for policy reforms that challenge harmful traditions.
Through advocacy and awareness programs, we are working towards:
• Community Education: We organize workshops, seminars, and outreach programs to debunk myths about FGM and highlight its long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences.
• Policy Advocacy & Alliances: We engage policymakers, community elders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to push for stronger laws that criminalize FGM and protect vulnerable girls. Collaboration with local and international organizations helps us shift social norms and build a culture of zero tolerance.
• Empowering Survivors: We support survivors of FGM by providing skills training, economic opportunities, medical care, psychological support, and legal assistance. Empowering these women helps them reclaim their autonomy and advocate for change in their communities.
Your Voice Matters!
Even if you don’t practice FGM, your voice is powerful. Ending Female Genital Mutilation is not just the responsibility of survivors or those directly affected. It is a fight for human rights, dignity, and equality. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to the movement for change.
Speak Up: Break the silence. Talk about FGM in your communities, workplaces, and online spaces. Challenge harmful cultural narratives and spread awareness about the devastating impact FGM has on womens health and well-being.
Educate: Knowledge is power. Share information with your friends, family, and networks. Attend or organize awareness sessions, community dialogues, and educational programs that highlight the dangers of FGM.
Advocate: Demand action from policymakers and leaders. Support laws and policies that protect girls from FGM, and push for stricter enforcement where necessary. Sign petitions, join campaigns, and partner with organizations working to end FGM.
Support Survivors: Many women and girls who have undergone FGM suffer in silence. Stand with them by promoting access to medical care, mental health support, legal assistance, and economic empowerment opportunities. Your solidarity can help them heal and reclaim their lives.
Take Action Today!
Together, we can step up the pace and build a future where every woman and girl live free from violence against her body. The time to act is now!
#EndFGM #ZeroTolerance #WomenRights #HealthForAll #HeartlandAlliance #ViiVHealthcare
