Global Efforts to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation at the 2nd Tanzania Conference.
The Belt of Somali Women proudly participated in the 2nd International Conference on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), held from October 9th to 11th, 2023, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The conference, themed «Change in a Generation,» brought together global leaders, organizations, and advocates committed to eradicating female genital mutilation across Africa and the world.
Panel Discussion on Innovative Strategies to End Female Genital Mutilation
One of the highlights of the conference was the dynamic panel discussion that featured members of Belt of Somali Women alongside other organizations such as YouthHubAfrica, and Save a Girl Save a Generation. The discussion centered around innovative strategies to eliminate female genital mutilation, with a focus on community-led initiatives and modern technology.
Belt of Somali Women shared its unique approach through the «Belt of Somali Women» initiative, which is empowering communities across Somali regions to challenge cultural norms and protect girls from all types of female genital mutilation. This includes efforts to incorporate female genital mutilation control information into vaccination records and reclassifying female genital mutilation types through comprehensive research.
Tanzania Conference Outcomes
The conference concluded with a strong commitment to accelerate the fight against female genital mutilation globally. The outcome document emphasized multi-sectoral collaboration, the importance of engaging young people and communities in advocacy, and the role of technology in raising awareness.
Our participation at the conference marks a significant milestone in our advocacy work, showcasing how the Somali diaspora can play a pivotal role in transforming harmful practices and promoting women’s rights. The conference outcomes echo Belt of Somali Women’s call for continued global cooperation and action to achieve zero tolerance for female genital mutilation.
Together, we can change a generation, and the Belt of Somali Women is at the forefront of this movement.
