FGM refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-medical reasons. The United Nations Population Fund estimates 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to FGM and that the numbers are increasing, reflecting the rate of population growth. Girls and women undergoing FGM live predominately in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arab States, however, FGM is also practiced in other countries. The first project of SI Road to Equality is working with the highly influential Global Media Campaign to End FGM, supporting six young inspired women activists, making a difference at grassroots level, to bring Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) to an end. Your support and funding through direct action grants to the Soroptimist Six, is mobilising the transformation of norms and mindsets within communities, giving them access the media and broadcast time to share their messages far and wide.  The FGM advocates, have been educated through GMC to use the latest technologies so they may be more effective in getting their message out, and increasing awareness of how FGM destroys lives. Through national events, GMC brings together survivors, activists, leaders, and journalists to witness first-hand how FGM impacts the lives of women and girls. Graduates of the media programme go on to create their own powerful messages – specific and relevant to their regions and networks – giving them the capacity to open up space for real conversation, and real change.

With your help, The SI Road to Equality is to provide Direct Action Grants to fund six graduates in their fight against FGM. Your donations will empower the Soroptimist Six with the valuable tools and opportunities needed to gain airtime on radio and television, to accelerate and maximise their message, so that they may become a voice for the voiceless, and drive the campaign against FGM forward.