Responding to FGM: Aiming for the Tipping Point in Change

Dr Ann-Marie Wilson, 28 Too Many

Who am I?

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” Jeremiah 1:5

Who are 28 Too Many?

Research 2012 - 2019

• 15 Country reports so far

• 13 to go

• Thematic reports on:

– Medicalisation & FGM

– FGM & The Law

– Anthropology & FGM (Spring)

– Religion & FGM (2019)

A Rallying Cry: How Esther Responded

How God Breaks our Heart Against Injustice?

• Luke 4:17-21: Jesus reads Isaiah 61

How can we Respond to God?

• Jonah: running from his call

• Nehemiah: Prayerfully responds

How the Gospels Guide Us to Transform Culture

• God’s steadfast love

• God’s protection

• God’s justice

• Jesus and safeguarding

• Creation

• The Fall

• Redemption

Current Harmful Practices • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

• Breast Flattening

• Child Marriage

• Witchcraft accusations,

• Childhood forced servitude,

• Son preference,

• Honour killings,

• Bride price,

• Dowry payments

• Femicide

• Early pregnancy & traditional practices relating to delivery

How God Gave Me an Inspired Vision

Map of FGM Prevalence Prevalence in Africa

Prevalence in the UK?

The Silent Truth of FGM

Globally, over 125 million women & girls live with FGM effects (WHO) More than 137,000 UK girls are at risk of FGM each year Every 10 seconds a girl is cut globally

The Impact of Law to help end FGM

• 55 million African girls under age 15 have had/at risk of FGM

– 50% of these are in Egypt, Ethiopia & Nigeria

– 30% are in Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia & Sudan

The Impact of Law to help end FGM

• In these 28 countries, 22 have an anti-FGM law

– 6 have no laws therefore FGM is legal

– 5 of these 6 have draft/want to pass laws

Advocating for Law Change

• If 3 countries tighten/implement existing anti-FGM laws…

• And 6 countries introduced law….

• 80% (44 million) could avoid/survive FGM

Economics/

Child Marriage

The Cluster of Inter-connecting Factors

Patriarchy/

Misogyny

Faith

Reproductive

Health

Girls

Education

Role of Men &

Boys

The Role of

the Law

Harmful

Practices incl FGM

Child

rights

Our Impact & Your Influence

Economics/

Child Marriage:

Alternative

occupation/

collaboration

Patriarchy/

Misogyny:

Teach Biblical

Worldview

Faith:

Safeguarding

Reproductive

Health:

Medicalisation

Education:

Schools

Pack

Role of Men &

Boys:

Youth Voice

Law:

Law Reports

Harmful

Practices incl FGM

Child rights:

collaboration

- ‘girls to be

girls’

Safeguarding in Your Context

• Look at Research Maps: Would this effect your community?

• Resourcing yourself - training & schools packs

• Demystifying myths – learning the facts

• Links with faith – Christianity & Islam

• Educating children – boys & girls

• Teach Human rights

Safeguarding in Your Context cont’d

• Becoming a sign-poster

• Help women to become literate

• Enable economic empowerment of women

• Empower boys & men for equality

• Engage religious leaders

• Working with law enforcement

Empowering & Resourcing Partners

Diaspora Communities

1st UK FGM Conviction

Building a legacy

Thank you from us all!

28toomany.org facebook.com/28toomany @28toomany @AM28toomany

annmarie@28toomany.org

To Donate:

Text FGMX28 £5 to 70070