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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a harmful traditional practice involving the cutting or removal of the external female genitals. It has existed for more than 2,000 years and is performed on girls from birth, up to just before marriage, and sometimes beyond. FGM is also known as "female circumcision" or "cutting", and by other terms locally.
Type I: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and/or the prepucerisque.
Type II: Partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora.
Type III: Narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labia majora, with or without excision of the clitoris.
Type IV: All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes, for example: pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterisation.
Our vision is a world where every girl and woman is safe, healthy and lives free from female genital mutilation. We are a registered charity, established in 2010 by Dr Ann-Marie Wilson to undertake research and provide knowledge and tools to those working to end FGM in the countries in Africa where it is practised and across the diaspora worldwide.
Brighter Communities Worldwide is a community based organisation with 15 years of experience. In 2009 they incorporated a Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) Abandonment programme into the scope of work they were doing with communities in Kericho County; the need for this programme was identified from within communities.
What do literacy and FGM have in common? One could eradicate the other.
This week International Literacy Day reminds us that education is one of the most fundamental ways in which we can build a sustainable future for all. It empowers individuals to bring about lasting change at a community, national and global level.
In Celebration of 1 year of campaigning: Not in My Name Sierra Leone
FGM affects 88% of women and girls in Sierra Leone and over 200 million women and girls around the world. It has no health benefits and is an extreme form of violence and discrimination. Since our launch up until now we have engaged both digitally as well as in Sierra Leone and the diaspora and have positioned the platform to be the only multicultural, multidisciplinary anti-FGM platform focused on Sierra Leone.
World Population Day 2017 - Family Planning: Empowering people, Developing Nations
Hope Alive Africa Initiative is running a campaign on ending teenage pregnancy and ending female genital mutilation in Africa, and Kwale county is the first County in Kenya we have had our campaign outreach. One of the issues facing the county is increased population due to unplanned and unwanted teenage pregnancies leading to increased poverty and illiteracy rates.
The link between Day of African Child and the Sustainable Development Goals.
As signatories to the UN Goals, African countries are obliged to ensure that the realization of these goals impacts the lives of the African child. With several goals directly linked to the African child, Africa stands to gain immensely from the implementation of these goals.
FGM in Nigeria by Raymond Chima Ukwa, End FGM Ambassador
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an unhealthy practice, inflicted on girls and women worldwide, and it is generally recognized as a violation of human rights, which is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and perceptions over decades and generations with no easy task for change. This blog post explores the issue of FGM in Nigeria where it is estimated that 27% of the women have undergone the procedure.
You can support our research and other projects to end this harmful practice by making a donation online with PayPal or JustGiving. If you would prefer to make a regular contribution, download our standing order form.
