Challenging Femal Gender Mutilation and contain the spread of COVID 19

In 8 villages we will 1) hold public health campaigns on Covid-19 prevention, as well as FGM risks; 2) organise youth forums to discuss FGM risk and develop youth communication and dialogue skills 3) organise community engagement

In Somaliland 98% of girls experience Female Gender Mutilation, 85% in extreme form. This is a violation of their rights, and a serious threat to their health. Covid also holds back the development of girls, who leave school and marry too early

Change can only happen from within; this is why we engage with youth, leaders and FGM practioners, in Covid prevention messaging as well as though youth forums and intergenerational dialogues to put a stop to this.

Based on earlier experience we need info, education and communication campaigns, working with local government and schools, youth, local leaders and FGM practioners, empowering and responsibilising them, creating safe spaces for open discussion,

ActionAid Somaliland is directly implementing the project in collaboration with 8 schools (4 are already partners) and local government.

Durable change in attitudes can only come from within, we especially value youth (boys and girls) to challenge these practices and hope for a healtier future. We also responsibilize community leaders and FGM practitioners in health messaging

We aim to replicate successes of a similar project in Hawd district and we believe combining COvid 19 messaging allows for a wider reach in communicating dangers of FGM practices