Female Genital Mutilation

It is estimated that more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation.

Female genital mutilation, also known as female genital cutting and female circumcision (FGM/C), is the cutting or removal of some or all of the external female genitalia, and more than 3 million girls and women face the risk of being cut annually.

Where We Stand

“SI upholds a human rights-based approach to policies and programmes aimed at ending harmful traditional practices, prioritising dignity and the right to life for women and girls. SI will work with partner organisations and communities including men and boys to raise awareness of the impact of traditional harmful practices. SI will work to empower young women through education programmes to understand their human rights in relation to all forms of harmful traditional practices.”

Read the SI Position Statement

SI Road to Equality & the END FGM Campaign

The first Project on The Road to Equality, is a partnership with Global Media Campaign to End FGM, who train and support activists in Africa, changing norms and mindsets within their own communities to end FGM.

The SI Road to Equality has provided a grant of £15,000 in the form of Direct Action Grants to fund six graduates – the Soroptimist Six – in their fight against FGM. Your donations are now empowering the young women with valuable tools and opportunities to gain airtime on radio and television, accelerate their message, and become a voice for the voiceless, as they drive forward the campaign to END FGM.

Soroptimist Six FGM Report

Find out more about the 'Soroptimist Six'

Visit Global Media Campaign to End FGM

Hosted by SI President, Sharon Fisher, and SI President Appeal Co-ordinators, Olga Sidenko and Ayushi Kundu, a recent SI Voices webinar welcomed Maggie O’Kane, of Global Media Campaign to END FGM, and members of the Soroptimist Six!

Female Genital Mutilation