Leading the Fight Against Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation affects 200 million women and girls worldwide. It is concentrated in around 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Some countries have prevalence rates above 90, such as Somaliland, Somalia, Guinea and Sierra Leone. Female genital mutilations are gender-based violence and violation of human rights. The IPPF Arab World Region leads the Acceleration Programme on Female Genital Mutilation. The Member Association of Mauritania hosts the IPPF Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Nouakchott since October 2021. AWRO is committed to the globalisation of this project to end female genital mutilation. The IPPF Centre of Excellence aims to strengthen the capacity of MAs and health providers by sharing experiences and best practices in eliminating this practice, learning from successes and ways to address challenges. The Center also supports survivors to empower them and improve their future by opening up new horizons. The Center works with female practitioners of FGM by developing social and economic projects to encourage them to abandon the practice. Finally, based on evidence, research and evaluation, the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation leads advocacy initiatives.