When the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted, estimates suggested that 133 million girls and women had experienced female genital mutilation/cutting in Africa alone. With improved data, estimates now suggest 200 million girls and women globally have been affected. If action to end FGM/C is not accelerated, an estimated 68 million girls will be cut by 2030. The COVID-19 has further impacted progress towards the abandonment of FGM/C.
Hearing first-hand from grassroots activists and survivors, this Commission on the Status of Women 65 virtual parallel event explores models of success from specific communities across different continents that have led to sustained reductions in FGM/C prevalence and have the potential to accelerate progress through broader adoption.
Speakers include:
Atashendartini Habsjah, CEDAW Working Group, Indonesia
Aissata Camara, There Is No Limit Foundation
Aya Chebbi, first African Union Youth Envoy
Alya Harding, End FGM European Network Youth Ambassador
Malaika Somji, Youth Activist and co-founder of the End FGM Canada Network
Maryam Sheik, Human Rights Activist
Mariya Taher, Co-Founder and US Executive Director of
Sahiyo Leyla Hussein, Global Advocacy Director & Deputy Team Leader of the African-led Movement to End FGM/C Josephine Kiaga, Filmmaker and Student
Dr. Tammary Esho, Amref Health Africa’s End FGM/C Centre of Excellence
Carey Walovich, US End FGM/C Network