The U.S. End FGM/C Network

Last week was incredibly busy! I had the opportunity to participate in two important conferences, but today I’ll focus on one. I’ll share more about the other in a subsequent post. I was thrilled to attend the Global Collaboration to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) conference, organized by The U.S. End FGM/C Network and its partners in Washington, D.C. The conference focused on the funding gap in efforts to end FGM/C, setting the stage for a donor working group on FGM/C, where the global platform presented key recommendations to enhance support to end FGM/C worldwide. ☑️ Did you know that less than 2% of total charitable giving goes to organizations and initiatives led by women and girls? ☑️ For organizations led by women and girls of color, this percentage is even lower. ☑️ Funding for campaigns addressing issues like FGM/C—often viewed as problems confined to Africa and Asia—is significantly lacking. It's important to recognize that FGM occurs in the United States as well, affecting not only immigrant communities but also U.S. communities with no immigrant connections. This is a topic for another post. FGM is a human rights violation, often performed on girls at a very young age, robbing them of their bodily autonomy and impacting their lifelong well-being. The conference highlighted several key barriers that grassroots and survivor-led organizations face in accessing funding. I’ll share more about these barriers and challenges in my next post. As a grant writer, I was honored to participate in this important event and to continue advocating for and supporting organizations led by women and girls, particularly those at the grassroots level, in accessing critical funding. It was also great reconnecting with colleagues from The Gambia, and meeting activists from around the world. Thank you to the U.S. End FGM/C Network for organizing such a wonderful conference! Isatou Jeng Caitlin LeMay, LCSW Absa Samba, MSW, MPA #EndFGM #IncreaseFundingForWomenAndGirls #GrantWriter #GrantAdvocacy #EquitableAccessToResources

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in our two-day event in Washington, D.C. and online! 🎉 Your contributions—whether through networking, sharing insights, or collaborating on strategies—are invaluable in the fight to #EndFGM. The energy and commitment from all who attended remind us that together, we can make real and lasting change. Let’s build on the momentum from these two powerful days and continue driving forward toward a future free of FGM/C. We’re so grateful for your support and dedication! #EndFGM #Advocacy #ThankYou

🚨 Today’s the day! Our full-day hybrid conference is happening NOW in Washington, D.C. and virtually. We’re thrilled to be gathering thought leaders, advocates, and decision-makers committed to ending FGM/C for a day of powerful discussions and strategic planning. Whether you’re joining us in person or online, we look forward to a productive and inspiring day that will move us closer to a future without this practice. #EndFGM #Advocacy #HybridConference

🚨 Today’s the day! Our Networking Event kicks off this evening in Washington, D.C. This is a rare opportunity to connect with advocates, leaders, and change-makers from across sectors who are committed to making a difference. Whether you’re attending in-person or sharing in spirit, we’re excited to come together to foster new partnerships and strategies. #EndFGM #NetworkingEvent #Advocacy

We’re just ONE WEEK away from our 2-day event and we can’t wait to have you join us! Whether attending in person in Washington, D.C., or virtually from anywhere in the world, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and collaborate on actionable strategies to protect the rights of women and girls globally. There’s still time to register and be part of this important event. We look forward to your participation in this global effort to #EndFGM! https://buff.ly/4e3yUSe #HybridConference

New Blog Post! We’re proud to share an insightful article written by one of our volunteers, Adaobi Iyiegbu, discussing the critical role of strengthening global alliances in the movement to end female genital mutilation/cutting. Collaboration and cross-border partnerships are essential to protecting girls and women globally. 👉 Read the full blog post here: https://buff.ly/4dLoZ2R #EndFGM #GlobalAction

Earlier this week, our Director had the privilege of presenting to The Connecticut Governor’s Council on Women and Girls to discuss the pressing issue of FGM/C. We are proud to contribute to these efforts and remain committed to ending FGM/C through advocacy and action. Thank you to The Governor’s Council for this opportunity to bring attention to such an important cause. #EndFGM

Volunteer Spotlight! Our dedicated volunteer is making waves in human rights advocacy, helping us #EndFGM worldwide—join the movement!

🚨 We're just two weeks away from our highly anticipated two-day event in Washington, D.C. on October 28th + 29th! If you haven’t registered yet, this is your final call to secure your spot! Join a powerful group of advocates, thought leaders, and decision-makers as we come together to build strategies and drive action to end FGM/C. Whether you’re attending the networking night or the full-day hybrid conference, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to make a difference. Don’t miss out—register for both events below and share with your network! #EndFGM Day 1: https://buff.ly/3XNf9Zv Day 2: https://buff.ly/4dkgADC

Join us, The U.S. End FGM/C Network, Mother Africa, and Washington State Department of Health for this training on survivor-centered programming for FGM/C. The training will equip service providers and advocates with tools to support survivors holistically. 💻Register: https://lnkd.in/esbMbwMZ .