16 Organisations, Charities and Grassroots Groups Working to Stop Female Genital Mutilation

“Female genital mutilation has nothing to do with culture, tradition, or religion. It is torture and a crime. Help us to put an end to this crime.” — Waris Dirie, Survivor of FGM, UN FGM Ambassador, Founder of the Desert Flower Foundation and former Supermodel

FGM stands for Female Genital Mutilation. FGM is a harmful and dangerous practice that involves the outer parts of the vagina- including the labia and the clitoris- being partially or totally removed. There are four main types of FGM and in the case of type 3, which can be the most detrimental to a victim’s reproductive health, the vagina is sewn up, leaving only a small hole for urinating, menstruation and sexual intercourse. FGM is predominantly carried out in parts of Africa. Increasingly it has been found in societies in Asia and also migrant communities across Europe and America.

FGM is often carried out without aesthetic on girls between the ages of 3 and 14. The implements used can be razors, scissors or knives. The practice causes extreme pain and the psychological and physical effects are devastating and can often be life threatening. FGM has been recognised as a practice that is born from societies with both gender imbalances and other forms of violence against women.

There is a powerful global movement campaigning for an end to FGM at grassroots, regional, national and international levels. We have compiled 16 of the most notable charities, campaigns and organisations working towards an eradication of FGM across the globe. Enjoy reading about these great organisations and we look forward to your feedback.

Written by Angelique Mulholland; Edited by Crystal Smith and Regina Yau


Organisation 1: 28 Too Many – Africa

28 Too Many is a values based charity that seeks to eradicate FGM in the 28 African countries where it is still practised. The charity works at community level, mapping best practise and collecting key data across communities, regions and countries. As well as creating vital and workable networks across education and health, the charity’s ultimate goal is to create a domino effect to end FGM in Africa for good. The organisation’s Flickr account has many photos from work in the field and also some powerful art created by African survivors of FGM.

Organisation 2: African Women’s Organisation – Austria

Based in Vienna, Austria, The African Women’s Organisation is a non-governmental organisation established in 1996 by women from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt and other African countries. Working directly with other non-governmental organizations as well as government departments and offices involved with the welfare of women and immigrants, the organisation’s central aim is to raise awareness and educate on FGM and its consequences.

Organisation 3: Ban FGM – campaign for UN resolution – United Nations

The specific aim of this campaign is for a UN resolution which will require all states to adopt and implement legislation to ban female genital mutilation and to take all necessary legislative, political and operational measures aimed at ending the practice. Ban FGM is a coalition of partner organisations and NGOs worldwide including “No peace without women”, “The National Union of Eritrean Women” and “Save the Somali Women and Girls”. On 17th October 2012 African member states submitted a draft resolution to the UN for a ban on FGM. This is the most significant step for the worldwide movement to ban FGM. If you would like to join the coalition you can submit your non-profit or charity here.

Organisation 4: Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation – Nigeria, Egypt, United Kingdom and the United States of America

CAGeM is a global network that seeks to educate about FGM by working with communities at a grassroots level. CAGeM’s Head Quarters are in Nigeria with offices in Egypt, California and New York.  Their workshops offer a safe and non-confrontational space for women to talk about the often complex and conflicting feelings surrounding FGM. CAGeM recognises that FGM is a force of gender inequality within practicing societies. FGM survivors are supported to focus on empowerment and economic independence within their households, thus strengthening the role of women and girls in society. CAGeM focuses on the empowerment and emotional restoration of survivors.

Organisation 5: Daughters Of Eve – United Kingdom

Daughters of  Eve is a non-profit organisation that offers survivor support, signposting services and works to protect girls and young women who are at risk from female genital mutilation (FGM). The organisation seeks to help young women who are at risk of FGM or gender-based violence to access the appropriate services to protect them. They give support and counselling for FGM sufferers and offer expert advice on issues affecting FGM victims such as child birth, reversal procedures and reproductive health. Daughters of Eve takes a holistic approach and recognises that FGM occurs in a wider context of gender based violence and issues relating to gender inequality.

Organisation 6: END FGM European campaign – European Union

The END FGM European Campaign is funded by Amnesty International Ireland and works with strategic European based partners to lobby the European Union on policy change that will end FGM. Their mission is for the European Union to adopt a comprehensive approach to end female genital mutilation and protect women and girls fleeing their countries for fear of being mutilated and suffering gender based violence. END FGM and its partner organisations have a five-point strategy which has been drawn up by experts in the field of law, human rights and development, and calls upon the EU to tackle FGM through these key areas of action: Data Protection; Health; Integrating FGM into a broader strategy to end violence against women; Protecting asylum seekers at risk of, or affected by FGM; Include FGM in EU’s engagements for the rest of the world.

To read more about END FGM’s 5 point strategy and its successes to date please read here.

Organisation 7: FGM – HILFE – Austria 

FGM HILFE has two main objectives: to financially support the project Al Baraka Foundation (ABF) in Burao / Somaliland and to raise awareness of FGM throughout schools across Europe. The ABF project has built and resourced a medical centre which provides free medication, gynaecological checks and counselling for women affected by FGM. It also runs a sponsorship program that provides free education for girls and a subsidised school for 200 girls and boys. The Chairperson, Elisabeth Cencig has visited 65 schools in Austria and Italy, talking to students about FGM and informing them of the work being done in Somaliland.

Organisation 8: FGM National Clinical Group – United Kingdom

The FGM National Clinical Group is was established in 2007 in the UK and is a charity dedicated to women who have been affected by FGM. The charity consists of multi-disciplinary networks of healthcare professionals, advocacy leaders and academics. The charity has launched an FGM resource film aimed at specialists to educate on FGM and they develop their evidence-based research methods with specialists. Working and evaluating best practise within the NHS, the FGM Clinical Group works closely with the Royal College of Nurses and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Organisation 9: FORWARD – The African Diaspora

FORWARD stands for ‘The Foundation for Women’s Health, Research And Development.” An African diaspora network, FORWARD was established in 1983. The International non-governmental organisation is a women’s led campaign which seeks to advance and safeguard the reproductive health of African women and girls. FORWARD strives to tackle FGM, child marriage and gender-based violence through educational workshops, advocacy, support programmes and information sharing. FORWARD is the lead agency tackling FGM in the UK and works at a strategic level in Europe and Africa.

Organisation 10: GAMS – France 

Another leader within Europe, France has spearheaded accountability and prosecution of FGM perpetrators and also offers free corrective surgery for FGM survivors. GAMS is a charity that works with victims of FGM, forced child marriage and gender-based violence and offers free and anonymous counselling to victims. They also run training programmes and advocacy networks.

 

Organisation 11: Integrate Bristol – United Kingdom

Integrate Bristol is a charity that seeks to integrate children who have migrated to Britain from other countries into mainstream British life while keeping their cultural identity and a connection with their home country. One of Integrate Bristol’s core charities is campaigning for an end to FGM in the UK. The lifeblood of the organisation is young activists from migrant communities who are campaigning key health and education strategies to be implemented by government departments. The young activists have created an award-winning short film called “Silent Scream” that has received critical acclaim. You can watch the film here.

Organisation 12: RISK – Sweden

Sweden is a European leader in the fight against FGM. RISK is the Swedish acronym for the national association for ending female genital mutilation (FGM). It is a nongovernmental organization works with grassroots and partner organisations to end FGM in Sweden and beyond. A partner organisation called Female Integrity was set up in 1995 and both organisations work together to map out future strategy to end the practice in Sweden. They also work closely with the Ethiopian Women’s Association in Uppsala.

Organisation 13: Stop FGM Now – Germany 

 “Stop FGM Now” is a campaign supported by The Waris Dirie foundation and initiated by German company “Heymann Brandt di Gemini”. The campaign brings together associations, companies and individuals to fight FGM by raising both awareness and funds. The campaign has an impressive array of sponsors and supporters: you can view them here.  Resource and funds can often be a stumbling block for many charities fighting FGM. Working with business in partnership, like the Stop FGM campaign, has proven to be very effective.

Organisation 14:  The Desert Flower Foundation – Austria and Worldwide

Established by the former supermodel and now dedicated activist, Waris Dirie, The Desert Flower Foundation is a charity committed to ending FGM. Waris Dirie was subjected to FGM at the age of 5. By the age of 12 she was a victim of child marriage and had fled to the UK at the age of 15. Waris’ story was made into a feature film in 2008 and her biography became an International bestseller, selling 11 million copies worldwide. The Foundation seeks to raise awareness of FGM by providing education workshops, organising fundraising events and supporting victims.

Organisation 15: The Orchid Project – United Kingdom and Worldwide

The Orchid Project is a charity that believes influencing decision makers at every level is the key to ending FGM for the next generation. At grassroots, regional and national levels, The Orchid Project seeks to advocate an abandonment of FGM and lobby and network in both diaspora communities and parent practising FGM societies.  The Orchid Project is charity that relies on fundraising and its small team networks with other charities, non-profits and organisations to create effective change.

Organisation 16: With (he)art against FGM 

This campaign is unique to any other FGM campaign we have seen! Launched two years ago in order to raise awareness on Female Genital Mutilation and to encourage people to take action, With (he)art against FGM is a collaboration of visual artists, musicians, poets, singers and writers. Have a browse around their website to see some of the incredible art, beautiful songs and moving poetry that has been created. The campaign also organises competitions, exhibitions, concerts and social media activities to reach and mobilize as many people as possible. The group of artists are hoping to create emotional engagement and to stimulate a global discussion in online forums and social networks. They have commented: “The eradication of this gross violation of human rights must take the position it deserves, high on the world agenda.”

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42 thoughts on “16 Organisations, Charities and Grassroots Groups Working to Stop Female Genital Mutilation

  1. Pingback: 16 Organisations, charities and grass-roots groups working to end FGM | Integrate Bristol

  2. Fo many years I have been interested in getting involved with any group trying to stop FGM. I have moved from Hawaii and am in Northern CA in marin County. Are there any groups in this area?

    • We have an organization in my community Kenya which try to teach women and young girls the danger of FGM, if you are interested contact me for more information

      • Hello Douglas Mochama.

        I am based in Kenya too, Kitengela Kajiado. I would love to also know how to get involved and work with you in the best way i possibly can.

        Thank you

        • Hello there ,

          I live in the Bay Area and I would like to help and volunteer in FGM awareness , I worked before in women health.

          Thanks

  3. Is there any information or advice for teachers in primary education. So we know how to deal with any situations that we may come across dealing with FGM please.

  4. I initiated the bill on FGM in Nigeria and eventual passage in parliament.Since relocation to Houston,l will be interested in working with international organizations that are committed to fighting the stoppage of this barbaric vices all over the world and wii be too happy to have me linked up.
    janet

    • i will love to be part of the organisation too iam a social worker student as a matter of fact i am doing some project about FGM i live in league city tx.

  5. I am working on a book on FGM. i need eyewitness accounts as a backup for my story. thank you for providing this list and i would appreciate support for my book in whatever form. i await your reply.

  6. i have been involved in planning, organisation, coordinating and facilitating anti fgm seminars in Kenya in Africa. i have facilitated in several hundreds seminars, radio interview and TV shows. its my desire to work under an organisation that seeks to eradicate fgm in Africa

  7. in our country that is a common practice am young human rights activist what can i do to stop fdm in uganda.

  8. My name is Kimberly Quintanilla. I am currently getting my Master’s in Social Work at Azusa Pacific University. I am currently working on a project for school and I would love to do it on FGM to raise more awareness of it with my peers. FGM is a topic that I found out about as an undergrad at UCR. It is a topic that most people are not aware of and that most people do not see it as a growing problem. I wanted to know if there is any way that I may get more information, if there are any locations in Los Angeles that I can go in person to talk to someone, or if there are people who have gone through fgm or people who have researched it.

  9. Hello
    I have been going through your website and I must admit it really touched and inspired me a lot. I am an FGM survivor. I am a gambian and was mutilated as well. I recently found out that my chances of conceiving are very slim because of the FGM. Am almost done with my MBA in Malaysia. I have plans of joining advocacy groups to fight against FGM because it is still being practiced around the world on a high scale, and I don’t want what happened to me to happen to other innocent children out there. Groups and Organizations fighting this cause are free to contact me, I am willing to share my story to save others. saibabe55@gmail.com

    Thanks

    Thanks

  10. I am a young lady from Kenya , aged 21 years currently in my final year of undergraduate studies . I come from a District where female genital mutilation has been a norm since time immemorial, girl child education is so much overlooked since most of the girls are married off as soon as seclusion period is over. most of these girls range from 10-15 years, the result is ” a child giving birth to a child”. It pains me whenever I meet age mates looking older than their real age, probably with 2 or 3 malnourished kids. Every December holidays I have always took part in voluntary activities aimed at sensitizing the community about multiple effects associated with FGM. I have always had a passion to join an organisation that can help me achieve my ever haunting dreams of saving my fellow girls from this beastly act. Any help will be appreciated.

  11. MICONTRAP is an organization working in kuria east and west d in parts of transmara districts to mitigate FGM. Lets all join hands and give a holistic approach by creating synergies that will help us achieve our goal

  12. I would like to help by writing articles to raise awareness. Does anyone know of any organizations that allow guest writers? I DO NOT WANT TO BE PAID.

    Thank you!

  13. Our organization, The Children of Pokot Educational Fund, has been working in Kenya with the Pokot tribe sine 1997. One area that has been targeted is the circumcision of the Pokot girls. We have had many educational programmes for the entire community and have a rescue center for any girl who does not want to be circumcised or forced to marry. We started our rescue programme before the Kenyan government made Female Genital Mutilation illegal. Even in 2015, the Pokot do not consider the law of Kenya to have precedence over their traditions. However, we have had a marked decrease in the number of girls being mutilated and those who are still undergoing the rite of passage do so quietly. We continue to take girls in our rescue centre. The first thing we do is register the girl in our school, get her a uniform and begin her educational adventure. We thank God for every Pokot girl we have been able to save.

  14. I have just recently seen the Documentary on FGM (German Channel 18.) I was absolutely shocked and saddened at seeing how little girls in Africa were subjected to female genital mutilation! It is still being done in many areas of the world. In the Documentary we saw the little girls shaking with fear, screaming from pain because they were given no anesthesia. It was done out side on the ground. It was just horrible. I want to know if there are petitions that I can sign. I am unable to send money, but I want to do something. Any help?? Thank you and God bless you. Christine Manderfeld (cmanderfeld@csbsju.edu)

  15. I would like to jump start my contribution to this cause be spending a couple of weeks somewhere to help women who are trying escape, avoid or heal. This abuse of women has haunted me since the first time I ever heard about it. I was busy running a business, raising children, etc and this topic does not get much play where I live. Is there anywhere I can go to pahysically help?

    • East pokot is one of the Districts in kenya that is highly affected by the practice of FGM, we have a CBO called ‘Ting’olok child protection group’ that is doing awareness part to the kolowa community and we have not received any funding to do the rescuing but we have linked some children to institution that offer support. if you can partner with us we are willing to work with any organisation or individual of the same vision.

  16. Hi, I am a final year Clinical Psychology Doctorate student researching the psychological and emotional impacts of FGM in order to help set up a service to better support survivors. The research came about following working with survivors who explained to me that the emotional impacts were harder to cope with than the physical impacts. It felt really important that I research this further to find ways to better support survivors. I am hoping to interview women who have experienced FGM (via telephone is abroad or face to face if UK based) and would really appreciate anyone who would be willing to share their story with me. You can remain anonymous if you choose and all information kept confidential. This research could really help survivors get better support.

    If you would like to speak to me about this more please do get in contact and I really look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

  17. I (Nikita Joshi) am a student of Masters Program from India. I have been working on FGM for my Society and Culture Module. I am keen to work or volunteer, I want to create awareness about such an inhuman deed that still prevails in our Globalized work. I have already been working with NGOs in my region but what have diverted my full attention was Waris Dirie story. Just like her there are million to be saved. As she says, awareness is what will lead this deed to reach to an end. This will be my stepping stone to abolish such a crime in an individual level. I want to help and volunteer for NGOs working for it.
    Contact ID: njoshi45@gmail.com

  18. Our nonprofit is Pastoralist Child Foundation. We were founded in 2012 and our mission is to eradicate FGM and forced early marriages in Samburu and Maasai Mara Counties in Kenya. We’ve had great success in mobilizing and educating young girls during school holidays through Alternative Rites of Passage and have saved 300 girls from FGM! We also work at the grassroots level as a partner with UNICEF-Kenya and visit rural villages to educate men, women, elders and circumcisers about the harmful effects of FGM and forced early marriage. We also address HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy, sexual & reproductive health, self-awareness, self-confidence, and the importance of formal education. We also provide educational sponsorships (full tuition and boarding) for 8 girls attending secondary schools. We regularly search for funders for our ongoing work to eradicate FGM and child marriage. Please write to us – or visit us in Kenya!

    • I applaud your undertaking and your mission. I have read about a similar successful effort in Sierra Leone. Has anything else similar been undertaken in other countries of Africa or Asia? While I am interested in supporting your efforts (I visited your site), I would also be grateful if you could share how you started this work and progressed with it. Where else would a similar undertaking be possible and potentially successful? Any comments are welcome.

  19. I am the head of Afrikanet academy and one of our goals is to use technology to fight against FGM (female genital mutilation). We are planning to make a short film on the subject in a complete African context in about 2 months. We need sponsors to support our project.

  20. I have been desperate for years to get involved in an FGM charity but I have recently moved to Spain to work and can’t find any here. Are there any?

  21. Hello,
    My name is Marion, I am French and currently live in Cairo. I would like to get involved in the fight against FGM, working/volunteering in an NGO providing support to girls and women who have been through it and looking to raise awareness about the harmful consequences of FGM. Does anyone know which NGO/association I could get in touch with? Thanks!

  22. How come we do not have an organization on the US. I would like to become involved somehow.

    • So there is an organization called CaGem in the Us. They help to educate communities and support survivors.

    • I am also in the US (GA) and would like to know of other people interested in becoming involved.

  23. This is awful Am an educationalist ,I would love and like to volunteer completely to go in the field in ant part of the world to save this child ..girl Lady crying for help somewhere.. I have a training mannual and books on that.

    Am a Kenyan Lady willing to work for you freely

  24. i come from a community which FGM is so common and evenly practiced.
    it has even been a norm that a girl must undergo the cut for her to even get support even from her own parents or even to get married.
    This brings conflicts thus forces girls to undergo the cut for them to be paid fees.
    I have a vision to getting partnership from interested organisations to end this mess.
    I have even taken steps in rescuing some two girls and paid for them school fees.

  25. I am a nigerian student in the u.k, studying for a Master’s degree in Health psychology. My research is about the mental effects of FGM on the victims. Does anyone know any organisations that would be willing to talk to me? Also if anyone wants to share their experiences with me, my email address is felixadesuwaabeke@yahoo.com. This is an issue that is very close to my heart because both my grandmothers, my aunts and some of my female cousins were circumcised. I only escaped it narrowly. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you

  26. hi I’m from Iran and I study international law and interest about the FGM but I couldn’t access the information of organization,any body can help me? plz email me.in Iran we have FGM but because of some taboos no one speak about it. I want write an article about FGM.
    and this organization are international organization?

  27. Hi there,

    I work for the Surgery Center for FGM. We recently opened in April of 2018 in Atlanta, GA. The Surgery Center for FGM is the United States’ first and only non-profit center for treatment of FGM. Our efforts are funded completely by donations and grants which allow us to provide our services at no cost to the patient. We specialize in reversal of FGM by reconstructing the genitalia surgically. Our Center also offers psychological counselling and educational training for medical personnel.

    We recently started a blog and I am trying to put together a piece about the accounts of real survivors of FGM. If you wish to tell your story as a survivor or donate to our cause please email me ducloskara@gmail.com or visit our website http://www.surgerycenterforfgm.org . Your story can be completely anonymous. We are just trying to spread the word about our center and the epidemic that is FGM.