Reduction of Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M) to 0
Ex- practitioners (Sowies) stopping their practice
In 2003, a group of courageous women from Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM) took a stand as they decided to work to stop harmful traditional practices in Sierra Leone. Initially, 40 women decided to put down their knives to stop cutting young girls genitals during initiation and participate in the program. These women took part in vocational training, literacy classes, and new livelihood training as they choose a different life and move ahead to creating a more prosperous future.
LemonAid Fund took on a participatory research study to evaluate their work of stopping Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M). The research showed that AIM was making strides towards achieving this deeply rooted cultural practice and thus changing thousands of lives.
LemonAid Fund continued its involvement in work to end FGC/M. In 2007, LemonAid Fund began its work with GTZ in providing technical assistance to the forming of a coalition of nongovernmental organizations that were working in their own corners of Sierra Leone to end FGC/M. LemonAid Fund was instrumental in the inception of the National Movement for Emancipation and Progress (NaMEP) and for its January 29th 2008 by the Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs with a representative of the U.S. Embassy speaking out against the practice. This was an historic day for Sierra Leone and for the protection of the next generation of girls.
In 2011, LemonAid Fund continued its commitment to organizations such as AIM as they engaged in their third Declaration of Abandonment Event along with notable people such as the US Ambassador. As a result of research, the hard work of organizations such as AIM, and the power of the coalition thousands of people are willing to talk about this most secret activity and many are beginning to give up the practice of FGC/M.
Today, the work continues to evolve as LemonAid Fund provides support to the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), AIM and other groups as they work to change a nation’s attitudes and practices regarding FGC/M. We continue to be engaged in innovative and cutting edge research such as the 2012 report mapping organisations working towards the abandonment of FGC/M in Sierra Leone. We have extended stop FGC/M activities to The Gambia in working with GAMCOTRAP.
In 2015-2017, LemonAid Fund worked with AIM, Aberdeen Women's Centre and FAHP to help Empower and Education to End Ebola. We were able to further incorporate LemonAid Fund's signature Forgiveness, Gratitude and Appreciation psychosocial approach into the FGM work for very successful results. LemonAid Fund wanted to build on this success and was able to receive a grant from The Congregation Srs. of St Joseph to continue working with Sowies (the women who head the Secret Societies and do the cutting) willing to stop the practice using our full package of FGM Q&A format with psychosocial activities. Thanks to the Congregation St. Joseph's to continue our grant to work further with the Sowies in 2017 and 2018.
LemonAid Fund took on a participatory research study to evaluate their work of stopping Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M). The research showed that AIM was making strides towards achieving this deeply rooted cultural practice and thus changing thousands of lives.
LemonAid Fund continued its involvement in work to end FGC/M. In 2007, LemonAid Fund began its work with GTZ in providing technical assistance to the forming of a coalition of nongovernmental organizations that were working in their own corners of Sierra Leone to end FGC/M. LemonAid Fund was instrumental in the inception of the National Movement for Emancipation and Progress (NaMEP) and for its January 29th 2008 by the Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs with a representative of the U.S. Embassy speaking out against the practice. This was an historic day for Sierra Leone and for the protection of the next generation of girls.
In 2011, LemonAid Fund continued its commitment to organizations such as AIM as they engaged in their third Declaration of Abandonment Event along with notable people such as the US Ambassador. As a result of research, the hard work of organizations such as AIM, and the power of the coalition thousands of people are willing to talk about this most secret activity and many are beginning to give up the practice of FGC/M.
Today, the work continues to evolve as LemonAid Fund provides support to the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP), AIM and other groups as they work to change a nation’s attitudes and practices regarding FGC/M. We continue to be engaged in innovative and cutting edge research such as the 2012 report mapping organisations working towards the abandonment of FGC/M in Sierra Leone. We have extended stop FGC/M activities to The Gambia in working with GAMCOTRAP.
In 2015-2017, LemonAid Fund worked with AIM, Aberdeen Women's Centre and FAHP to help Empower and Education to End Ebola. We were able to further incorporate LemonAid Fund's signature Forgiveness, Gratitude and Appreciation psychosocial approach into the FGM work for very successful results. LemonAid Fund wanted to build on this success and was able to receive a grant from The Congregation Srs. of St Joseph to continue working with Sowies (the women who head the Secret Societies and do the cutting) willing to stop the practice using our full package of FGM Q&A format with psychosocial activities. Thanks to the Congregation St. Joseph's to continue our grant to work further with the Sowies in 2017 and 2018.
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LemonAid Fund Country Director Dr. Nancy Peddle with ex-practitioner, and US Ambassador Micheal Owens at AIM's Third Declaration of Abandonment Event 2011.
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GAMCOTRAP Poster to end FGC/M in The Gambia
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FGM Advocates Becoming Trainers of Trainers Combining Empowerment and Education to STOP FGM with Psychosocial Healing
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TOT training Community Members to be Advocates on Empowerment and Education to STOP FGM with Psychosocial Healing
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TOT training FGM Advocates on Empowerment and Education to STOP FGM with Psychosocial Healing
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