Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

The project aims to strengthen the national FGM focal point, as well as undertake activities targetting the female population of girls who are about to enter adulthood in the community of the Gussi region in Kenya. It facilitates the identification, promotion and adoption of alternative rights of passage to replace the practice of FGM in the tradition/culture of the community.

Its works with community-based organisations (CBO) and non-governmental organisations (NGO)s to ensure involvement of both female and male members of the community in the project which, in turn, collaborates with a larger project approved for World Health Organisation (WHO) funding.

The project focuses on communities in specific districts in order to raise awareness of the negative consequences of FGM and thus increase their willingness to stop the practice. It supports the national FGM secretariat in the coordination of initiatives in the frame work of the national plan of action to eliminate FGM, supports pilot implementations at community-level, heightens awareness among health personnel, develops operational research and intensifies the exchange of information about FGM at local, national and regional levels.

The project targets policy makers in Africa and in donor countries, judiciary systems in Africa, journalists and media practitioners and staff of the seven national committees of the International AIDS Conference (IAC) and other NGOs working in Africa on FGM, reproductive health and the human rights of women. Its direct target group is children and young women who will be saved from FGM.

Women, Rights.

The project aims to promote initiatives to overcome FGM and is based in the Division of Primary Health Care of the Ministry of Health in Nairobi. It aims to "improve the physical and psychological well-being of girls and women" by decreasing the incidence of FGM. The objectives of the project are to:

• increase the awareness in Africa and at European and international level on the severe violation of human rights resulting from the practice of FGM.
• collect and disseminate information on what is being done in various countries, both in Africa and in Europe, to eliminate the practice of FGM, and assess the strategies to change individual behaviour and social norms.
• enhance the capacity of African NGOs to collect and disseminate data and information on the practice through the internet.
• foster the role of civil society in monitoring Government efforts to eliminate FGM and in holding Governments (in Africa and in Europe) accountable for failure to fulfil their international obligations.
• assess the role of the judiciary system in enforcing legislation prohibiting FGM.
• accompany legislative measures with nation-wide appropriate information and communication activities.