Girls at the Center: The Power of Partnering with Communities to End Female Genital Mutilation

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) presents a major challenge in several countries around the globe. It is internationally recognized as a harmful practice and a form of gender-based violence (GBV) that endangers the lives of millions of girls and women. It violates the foundational tenets of human rights reflected in various international conventions, resolutions and declarations.

Communities – women and girls, men and boys, traditional and religious leaders, health workers, law and policy makers, must be mobilized and empowered at the grassroots level if we are to end FGM. Evidence shows that when girls and women have the power to make their own choices about their bodies, it positively affects other spheres in their lives, including their political, social and economic participation.

Join Amref Health Africa, The Girl Generation and its partners, Population Council, Power to Youth, Y-ACT and Youth Power Hub for an interactive session on shifting approaches, creating positive impacts and contributing to putting an end to the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) including FGM, by putting girls and women at the center and working in partnership with communities.

The objectives of the sessions include:

• Explore what we mean by ‘girl-centered programming’ and how it works, and why this is a key approach to end FGM. Present evidence of what works within this approach; 
• Share practical examples and lessons on why and how special attention is given to protect and support survivors and front-line activists in our efforts to put them at the center of our programmes and movements to end FGM.