| |
2019 was a memorable year for the End FGM European Network. From celebrating our 5th anniversary to continuing to galvanise the European end FGM movement, here is a rundown of some of our 2019 key achievements, memories and moments. |
|
| |
|
| |
1. #MyVoiceMatters: a spotlight on work at community level | | The year kicked off on the 6th of February – the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM – with the launch of our campaign #myvoicematters. This year long campaign focused on the importance of Community Voices in the movement to end FGM. The campaign ended with a conference in the UK hosted by our member FORWARD. To know more, check the video that we released at the end of 2019. | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
2. Celebrating 5 years of the End FGM European Network! | | In 5 short years, the Network has doubled in size and now has 27 members based in 14 European countries. During this time, we have seen great progress – awareness has been raised, policies have been passed, professionals have been trained, and spaces have been provided for those affected to share their stories. | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
3. Raising awareness that FGM is not just an African issue | | Shining a spotlight on the global nature of FGM, the Network partnered with our member GAMS to discuss how we can change the narrative on FGM and how we can engage ALL practising communities. The event brought together FGM experts and activists from, among others, Omani, Indian and Kurdish communities. | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
4. Advocating for gender-focused European elections | | In May, Europe took to the polls to elect a new European Parliament. In the run up to the elections, End FGM European Network and its members conducted a campaign in 7 points to ensure that violence against women & girls, including FGM, is high on the new EU representatives’ agenda. After two months of intense campaigning, 407 candidates from 23 European countries signed our 7-Point Manifesto! | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
5. Launching a Global Call to Action | | 2019 has also been a year of amplifying alliances between civil society organisations, champions, survivors and other grassroots representatives to end FGM. We were proud to be one of the initiators of the End FGM Pre-conference at Women Deliver conference, which developed a global Call to Action to end FGM. | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
6. Youth Ambassadors making their voices heard | | Globally, 2019 was the year of youth activism. This was also true within the European movement. The Youth Ambassadors made their voices heard, spoke to policy makers and mobilised money to launch their very own YouTube channel. | | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
7. Releasing our How to talk about FGM guide | | Words and their connotations are powerful and have an impact on how a subject is perceived and tackled. The year ended on a high note with the launch of the How to talk about FGM guide, in presence of:
| | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
This is just a glimpse at some of our many activities.
Thank you for being a part of this work and we hope you will be a part of what is next to come.
We have 10 years to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and we cannot rest until we end FGM in Europe and globally. |
|
| |
|
|
