Whether it is domestic violence, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, child/early/forced marriage, and female genital mutilation, several millions of women and girls have been robbed off their childhood, innocence, education, health, safety, security and aspirations, hence the reason for SHE RISES INT’L, INC’s (SRII) advocacy for gender justice and equity.
According to the United Nations Women (UN Women) calendar, the month of February has been set aside for several awareness campaigns including International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practiced in some cultures. FGM is one of various violent actions against women and young girls in most developing world. As a matter of fact, FGM and early marriage are supposedly Siamese twins in communities where FGM is practiced. In such communities, they belief that a girl cut in her genitalia brings honor to her family. In specific terms, the marriageability status of such a girl has just been elevated.
On the contrary, these girls’ mental, emotional, physical, and psychological health have truly been altered and endangered. Specifically, negative impacts on women and girls who were put through FGM include excruciating pain, death resulting from excessive loss of blood, genital infection, early marriage, loss of primary and/or advance education, and economic empowerment. Consequently, the community are left impoverished rather than enjoy a buoyant economy.
UN Women statistics indicate that over 200 million women and girls in at least 31 countries have experienced FGM. Also, for 2021, UN Women projects 4.16 million women and girls around the world are at risk for FGM. However, Covid19 disruptions may throw additional 2 million women and girls FGM cases by 2030 unless, advocates like us continue to advocate, work, and educate FGM prone communities to halt such practice.
On February 6, 2021, UN Women celebrated and featured some victims of FGM in commemoration of International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM. SHE RISES INT’L, INC. stands and supports same. SRII resolved to continue to advocate for women and girls against all forms of violent cultural beliefs and practices (including FGM) that endanger the lives, liberty, and livelihood of the female-kind; assist to educate communities (where such violent actions and cultures are practiced) in favor of norms that advance the cause of women and girls; and encourage the government to partner with the communities for investment in alternative economic livelihood programs that will eventually increase women and girls empowerment.
