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What is FGM? Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons (World Health Organisation).
Dangers include severe infection, pain, urinary disorders and even death. Long-term implications can also be very serious, causing complications in childbirth.
We believe all girls should be safe from harmful practices like FGM.
FGM is illegal in Ethiopia, and important progress is being made to eradicate this harmful practice. However, many girls are still at risk. Particularly girls living in rural areas, and who face barriers in accessing education.
The Afar region is one of the regions of Ethiopia with the highest prevalence of FGM. It has been practiced there for hundreds of years.
Many communities believe FGM to be an essential part of a girl’s life and important for their wellbeing. Misconceptions about religious teachings exacerbate the issue, especially in areas where literacy is low.
Changing such deep-rooted beliefs is hard, but slowly and surely our partner’s Women Extension Workers are raising awareness of the dangers and convincing communities that it cannot continue.
Our partner APDA (Afar Pastoralist Development Association) provides support and opportunities for women and girls. Through their projects, they are raising awareness of the dangers of FGM and bringing an end to this harmful practice, by:
79,674 people were reached through education, to stop harmful practices like child marriage and FGM
712 babies were safely delivered by Traditional Birth Attendants and protected from harmful practices
83 clan leaders were brought together to discuss harmful practices and revise the laws surrounding them
On International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, Valerie Browning, Co-Founder and Program Director of our project partner, Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA),
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Ethiopia has been a tradition in rural communities for thousands of years, with its roots dating back to the Pharaohs
APDA is dedicated to ending harmful practices, including female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and the lack of rights for women in marriage. Their Women Extension Workers are trusted role models for girls. Through their outreach work, they support women and girls in their communities, visiting and speaking to girls and listening to their daily challenges and difficulties. They also work alongside religious leaders who, as respected authorities, can lead by example to bring an end to harmful practices.
We raise funds for local Ethiopian charities to transform lives and achieve lasting change.
Our vision – an Ethiopia in which every person has access to quality education, healthcare and a life of dignity.
Our mission – breaking the cycle of poverty by enabling the poorest and most vulnerable and their communities to live with dignity, to build resilience and achieve real and sustainable solutions to the challenges they face.
