Categories: News

Girls to embrace science as weapon against FGM

A Kenyan company has joined with a United Nations agency and a research organization to offer a program aimed at inspiring African girls to take up science as part of broader efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation.

Some 3 million girls are made to endure FGM each year in Africa. Many die as result of bleeding, infections and, later, from complications during childbirth, according to the Amref Health Africa.

The procedure involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for cultural or other non-medical reasons.

Against this backdrop, Brands and Beyond is working with the UN Population Fund and AMREF to offer what the partners present as an “FGM-to-STEM” program, referring to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It will start in April next year.

AMREF estimates that more than 100 million girls and women live with the consequences of the mutilating practice. Although it is banned in an increasing number of countries, the procedures are still carried out in many communities.

Francis Ngomeli, managing director of Brands and Beyond, said the initiative seeks to rescue girls from FGM, as well as from pathways leading to early marriages and teenage pregnancies. Their studies will empower girls to realize their full potential by embracing the STEM program.

The program is also aimed at “demystifying the myth that sciences are just for the boys”, and will provide the education materials required to inspire girls in these fields, Ngomeli said.

“When girls undergo FGM, most likely they don’t resume schooling. Among those who do return to school, more than 60 percent fail to attain the pass mark. This is why introducing the STEM program is a great motivator for these girls,” Ngomeli said.

He said that as part of efforts to back the program, parents will be encouraged to see the benefits for their daughters from an education in the sciences.

“The girls will also be able to address some of the major challenges affecting their communities,” Ngomeli said.

“We have already rolled out the program in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia and we plan to expand to other FGM-prone African countries.”

Article first published on http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2019-10/25/content_37518279.htm

Amref Health Africa

Amref Health Africa teams up with African communities to create lasting health change.

Recent Posts

Empowering Frontline Heroes: A New Era for Community Healthcare

By Lusayo Banda, Communications Manager-Amref Health Africa Malawi For over a decade, Paul Chakamba has…

5 days ago

Climate Change Grants For Africa Is A Good First Step. But We Must Do More

Authors: Desta Lakew, Group Director, Partnerships and External Affairs, Amref Health Africa; and Alvin Tofler Munyasia,…

5 days ago

Amplifying the Global South’s Voice on Climate Finance at COP29

On the sidelines of the 2024 UN Climate Conference (COP29), Amref Health Africa and the…

1 week ago

COP29: African Countries Must Wake Up from ‘Distributed Carbon Emission Guilt’ to People-Centered Climate Action

Global warming is no longer just an issue for the environment but a crisis of…

1 week ago

COP 29 and health: The basics

What is COP 29 and why is it important? COP (Conference of the Parties) is…

1 week ago

COP29 Co-Chairs Publish Draft Text On Climate Finance Goal During Third Day Of Conference

Co-Chairs publish draft text for the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), described as workable basis…

1 week ago