Even though it is internationally recognized as a grave human rights violation Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is still happening to millions of girls worldwide. Often seen as an “African problem” many people aren’t aware that hundreds of thousands of women and girls in Europe are at risk of undergoing it and many have been subjected to it already. In 2013, Germany created a special criminal offence regarding FGM with Section 226a of the Criminal Code due to the seriousness of the violation of rights. Nevertheless, the numbers of those affected are rising. According to the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, there was an estimated increase of up to 40% between 2017 and 2020. What can be done to end FGM in Europe and the world once and for all? As Youth Ambassador for the End FGM European Network, the activist Alya Harding is fighting in her community as well as on an EU and international level to end FGM and for a world in which all women and girls feel empowered and their human rights are fully respected. On February 9th 2022 she will be our guest.
What is FGM and why does it continue? How can the minds of those practicing it be changed? What are common misconceptions towards FGM and how can they be debunked? How can we change the narrative surrounding this issue? What is Europe currently politically doing to combat FGM and what must still happen to make significant progress in ending it? How is the Covid-19-pandemic affecting the situation of women and girls at risk of FGM? What is Alya Harding’s role as an End FGM’s Youth Ambassador? We are looking forward to discussing these and many more questions with you and Alya Harding.
