Expanding and sustaining the end FGM/C campaign through existing School Clubs Female genital mutilation (FGM), a form of gender-based violence, is known as a harmful traditional practice (OHCHR) and is a violation of
human rights.

The available data indicates that at least 200 million women and girls across 30 countries have undergone the practice (UNICEF, 2016).

The practice of FGM is concentrated in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, however there have been reports of the practice in Europe, Australia and North America within diaspora communities (UNICEF, 2016).
FGM is described as “all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female Instruments, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons” (WHO, 2016).

The practice has no health benefits and has consequences in all aspects of a female’s life – including health and education. FGM can also act as a precursor to early/child marriage, which is also a violation of human rights and can even be considered slavery in some situations (Turner, 2016).

It has been said by Nowak (2008), former Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, that “the pain inflicted by FGM does not stop with the initial procedure, but often continues as ongoing torture throughout a woman’s life.”
Mainstreaming FGM/C in existing school club programmes will help sustain the campaign, it involves analysing how FGM/C impacts a sector and determining how the sector should respond based on its comparative
advantage.

Also Mainstreaming FGM/C into the education sector will help to shape young people’s attitudes and influence their future behaviour.



Some of the strategies for mainstreaming FGM/C into the education sector include:
1. Inclusion in the Curriculum: By integrating FGM into formal/non-formal education, the topic is less of a taboo and young people can receive accurate information. .

2. Training of teachers: When teachers are trained they can educate young people and also support those at risk of undergoing or have already undergone FGM/C. .

3. Formation of Anti-FGM/C Clubs: This involves training of students and mobilising them to form a Club that focuses solely on FGM/C activities.

4. Partnering with School Clubs: Training the members of existing school clubs, health, press, debate, etc. to integrate FGM/C education into their regular activities .

5. Education sector stakeholders should take the lead on all FGM/C activities in the education sector, including projects implemented by external partners.

6. In Imo State Nigeria, the Young Social media advocates are using Peer Educators Club to tackle #FGM.

To learn more about their success stories, Join Felxfame Omovie Enisire on the UNICEF Nigeria weekly Twitter conference on the topic:

“Expanding and sustaining the end FGM/C campaign through existing School Clubs”


Date: Thursday 6thApril, 2017
Time: 5pm to 7pm Nigeria Time
Venue: Twitter Tag: #endcuttinggirls


This conversation will help programme implementers to explore options that will help in the endFGM campaign even as they commence sensitisation campaign in schools and enlighten the public.



Together we will end FGM/C in this generation.




http://iqvibes.com/endcuttinggirls-expanding-and-sustaining-the-end-fgmc-campaign-through-existing-school-clubs/