Orchid Project

On Tuesday we co-hosted a webinar with The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-led Movement to End FGM/C looking at the research findings of the paper 'Estimating excess mortality due to FGM/C'. Authors James Rockey and Heather D. Flowe provided detailed breakdowns of their methodology to help key stakeholders feel confident in the research. Key headlines include: ➡"Over 44,320 girls and young women every year die of FGM/C. It amounts to the death of a girl or young woman every 12 minutes" James Rockey ➡"Our findings on FGM-related deaths are likely conservative. We're only seeing the tip of the iceberg - the long-term consequences remain hidden but equally devastating." Heather D. Flowe ➡"This research brings a renewed sense of urgency, showing FGM/C as not only a human rights violation but a significant risk to life. It strengthens our position as advocates to demand similar level of attention as other preventable causes of mortality." Anush Aghabalyan ➡ “The data...makes it undeniably clear that FGM/C is far more than a cultural or social issue. It is a severe public health crisis that leads to the loss of innocent lives. We are confronting a pandemic of violence against children.” Dr Leyla Siirad Hussein Gikandi Find the paper here: https://lnkd.in/e9aWHpft #EndFGMC

This week it was great to meet in person for a three day strategy meeting held by the Asia Network to End FGM/C. There were presentations from UNFPA Asia and the Pacific on behalf of of the UN Joint Programme as well as sessions led by Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and Orchid Project. Across the 3 days, there was plenty of room to discuss and brainstorm around the challenges, gaps and opportunities for addressing #FGMC in the Asia content from global, regional and national levels. After many fruitful discussions and a strategic plan to move forward, we're looking forward to putting these next steps in place and moving closer towards ending FGM/C. Thank you to everyone for the insightful presentations and for the great group dynamics. #EndFGC #EndFGMC

Reflecting on International #YouthDay last week, we'd like to share a blog looking at some of our recent engagement with youth alongside Youth Anti FGM Kenya. https://ow.ly/5Nq450T4Qja #EndFGMC #EndFGM

🌟 This #YouthDay, we must continue to create spaces that inclusively involve the participation of children, adolescents and youth! Watch the incredible efforts EPRODEP are doing to ensure the participation and inclusion of our youth. Together, let’s build a future where every young person feels valued and heard! 📹 https://lnkd.in/eQwn6jqn #Youth #YouthDay2024 #YouthPower

We’re inspired by the recent decision to uphold the FGM ban in The Gambia. This significant step forward is a beacon of hope in the fight to end Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C), but the journey is far from over. Let's unpack what the law entails and the challenges that remain. The ban criminalises the act of performing FGM/C, making it illegal for anyone to carry out this procedure on girls and women. Those caught can face severe penalties, ensuring that the practice is formally recognised as a serious offence. However, the story doesn't end there. While the act of performing FGM/C is criminalised, the law doesn’t fully tackle the clandestine networks of practitioners who continue their work in secret. These hidden operators pose a significant challenge. Another critical gap is the lack of provisions against cross-border FGM/C. Families can still take their daughters to neighboring countries where FGM/C laws are lax. This loophole requires urgent regional cooperation to close. The ban also falls short in mandating educational initiatives. Criminalising FGM/C is crucial, but without public awareness campaigns and education, the practice risks continuing underground. We need societal change to truly end FGM/C. While The Gambia's FGM ban is a powerful step forward, it’s just the beginning. To truly eradicate FGM, we must address these gaps: hidden practitioners, cross-border practices, and the need for widespread education, including engaging with different stakeholders. Read our detailed analysis on the law and FGM in The Gambia here ⬇ https://lnkd.in/dHrsjaje #EndFGM220 

Orchid Project continues to call for the law in The Gambia banning FGM/C to be upheld. We welcome the decision of Gambian Law makers made on Monday to adopt a report by the the Joint Health and Gender Committee which recommended the ban on fgm to be maintained. Last August, the first FGM/C conviction in The Gambia prompted calls for the bill outlawing the practice to be repealed. The ban against FGM/C in The Gambia was enacted in 2015, where it joined over 20 other countries in Africa that have outlawed this practice. Following the events last August, in March 2024, the National Assembly voted to advance the reversal of the ban. Its repeal would be a direct threat to the hard won progress in protecting women and girls in The Gambia from this form of Gender-based violence. A final vote on whether to repeal the law will be made on the 24th July, with a second reading on the 16th July. Whilst the news on Monday’s vote shows a move in the right direction, we continue to call for Gambian authorities to uphold their commitments under international and regional human rights agreements and maintain the bill against FGM/C. Alongside our partners from the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C consortium, we stand in unwavering solidarity with local activists in The Gambia, who tirelessly champion the rights and well-being of their communities. We have created a joint statement in response to these events and also to highlight the outpouring of international support for maintaining the FGM ban, emphasising that this is a global issue requiring collective action. To see the statement and support in full, follow this link. https://t.co/R3VMehFvhV #EndFGM220 Equality Now Sahiyo End FGM EU The U.S. End FGM/C Network End FGM Canada Network

🌟Sierra Leone sets 18 as the minimum legal marriage age, taking a vital step to #EndChildMarriage. This, combined with comprehensive support, will allow for girls to reach their full potential! 🔗https://lnkd.in/egHdhusR

Thrilled to support this knowledge sharing workshop! Empowering young people is crucial in the collective effort to end FGM/C globally.

Target 2 of the United Nations SDG 5 is focused on eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls by 2030, this includes the unhealthy practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). This week, let’s do more to ensure Nigeria meets this target in our immediate and extended environment. #Eradicationisthegoal

Did you know? More than 12 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year and more than 3 million are at risk of female genital cutting.  Watch this powerful video that highlights the urgent need for a holistic and intersectional, community-led approach to promote dialogue around these and other practices that communities feel hinder their vision for wellbeing. This film was made possible with support from the Orchid Project and Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage. Full video here: https://lnkd.in/eg49bfAm #ChildMarriage #FGC #CommunityEmpowerment #Tostan #FGC #Orchidproject #Girlsnotbrides #wellbeing #partnershipsfordevelopment