17 February 2015
New project to help faith communities take action to end FGM
We are delighted to be one of 17 projects to receive a share of £270,000 from the Department of Communities and Local Government to help end female genital mutilation (FGM) and ‘honour’ based violence by creating a network of community champions.
Our project is to work develop and deliver bespoke training on FGM for leaders and youth workers in faith communities across Greater London. Faith leaders have a unique position of influence in many communities and this training will provide essential education on FGM so that they can speak out against the practice and help end FGM.
“Last summer over 350 faith leaders from across the UK signed a pledge against FGM which was presented to Government Ministers at the Girl Summit and this is an exciting opportunity to build on that commitment,” said Dr Ann-Marie Wilson, Founder and Executive Director of 28 Too Many.
“The engagement of faith leaders will help in many ways. As well as speaking out against FGM and encouraging the abandonment of the practice, faith leaders can ensure that there are safe spaces for members of their communities affected by FGM. This can include protecting those at risk, supporting survivors and providing education on the harm caused by FGM to young people so that we can break the cycle and ensure that the next generation of girls is not cut.”
Please watch this short video to learn more about our plans and hear from some faith and community workers who participated in anti-FGM training.
If you are a faith leader and want to add your name to the pledge against FGM please download the declaration form from our website and return to 28 Too Many. If would like to learn more about the new training programme please email info@28toomany.org .
Notes to the editor:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an ancient traditional practice dating back over 2000 years which involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitals for non-medical reason. It is estimated that over 125 million girls and women in Africa and the Middle East have undergone FGM and 3 million are at risk each year (UNICEF, 2012).
It is estimated that 137,000 women and girls in England and Wales are affected by FGM and as many as 60,000 girls are at risk (Equality Now and City University London, 2014).
For more information on 28 Too Many and FGM please visit www.28toomany.org
More information on Department of Communities and Local Government’s commitment to frontline projects against FGM can be found on their website.
For media enquiries, please contact Louise Robertson, Communications Manager on +44 (0)7957 805354 or email louise.robertson54@gmail.com