Charity calls for action to eliminate female genital mutilation

A Christian charity dedicated to helping vulnerable children is promoting the International Day of zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM) to call for more action to reach the UN’s target of eliminating FGM by 2030.

World Vision, a charity which “helps children in some of the world’s most dangerous places”, estimates that over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM.

According to World Vision, FGM is considered a rite of passage into womanhood in some communities which often results in child marriage, leaving school, and several health complications which the victims “carry for the rest of their life”.

Aimyleen Gabriel, Gender equality and social inclusion programme advisor at World Vision, said: “It is incredibly important for us at World Vision that all girls are prevented from undergoing the practice of FGM, which is not only responsible for many health communications, but is also a violation of a child’s human rights and dignity.

“Child sponsorship enables World Vision to continue to fight for the rights of girls [so that they] can be empowered to pursue brighter futures for themselves and their communities.”

World Vision community health volunteer, Peninah, is among those advocating against FGM.

At age 12, Peninah underwent FGM and when her daughter was sponsored through World Vision, she became “an advocate for change in her community” by speaking with community leaders and holding information sessions at the local school to warn girls of the dangers of FGM and child marriage.

According to World Vision, their community-based solutions, enabled by child sponsorship, help “address the root causes of FGM like poverty and gender inequality” to provide education to girls with the help of faith leaders and local social systems.

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