Ahfad University for Women Role in Combating FGM

AUW’s Role in Combating Female Genital Mutilation

An Overview of Training, Research and

Outreach Programmes, Educational and IEC Material, Networking and

Linkages

Introduction

Ahfad University for Women has been working for more than 35 years

towards the advancement of Sudanese women. This is manifested in

its programme towards the eradication and concurrent abolition of

the harmful Traditional Practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

FGM is a regional and national problem practiced in at least 26

of 43 African countries. FGM is a social and cultural practice which

is known to be detrimental to women’s physical and mental health

and well-being. FGM comprises all procedures involving partial or

total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to

the female genital organs for cultural or non-therapeutic reasons.

Ahfad University For Women is combating FGM through a number of

activities , including Capacity Building and Training Programmes.

The purpose of AUW’s training programmes are to raise the capacity

of nationals in combating FGM and raising awareness of people towards

its detrimental health effects and that it has no religious foundation

contrary to belief.

Examples of training conducted include:

A series of training workshop, on the eradication of FGM for Muslim

Religious leaders and Sufis groups. The training sessions aimed

to enact an Islamic Fatwa to support the abolition of FGM in Sudan

and secure Suffist leaders commitment to advocating for eradicating

this practice. This was coordinated by the Institute for Women Gender

and Development Studies, AUW.

Research Programmes

• AUW in collaboration with UNFPA conducted a baseline survey

  in Umbadda area in 1994 on FGM.

• Conducted content analysis of national mass media programmes

  concerning FGM.

• Collected data for an annotated report in collaboration with

  UNICEF reviewing all national material found in Sudan.

• Conducted a research on the change of attitudinal behaviour

  towards FGM amongst different groups: universities, students and

  men in Ombadda area.

• Part of the university requirement of the academic degrees awarded

  by AUW is conducting a research project in the final year of study.

  A multi-disciplinary approach to the study of FGM has led to a

  number of researches being conducted at the B.Sc. (mainly) and

  masters levels.

  Examples include:

  – The psychological effect of FGM on Men and women resulting

  from the practice. Conducted in 1996.

  – The perception and attitudes of journalists in Sudan towards

  FGM. Conducted in 2000. The perception and attitudes of female

  health providers towards FGM. Conducted in 2001.

  – The perception and attitudes of female health providers towards

  FGM. Conducted in 2001.

Outreach programmes

AUW conducts annual field trips to rural areas as part of its Rural

Extension programme. The aim of this programme is two-fold:

– Awareness raising and advocacy is conducted by students on the

theme of FGM (among others).

– Students develop outreach activities, communication skills in

addition to exposure to the reality of the lives of the rural community.

AUW has established a group of Youth Animators to advocate against

the practice of Female Genital Mutilation. This group has been working

since 1996. Methods used by the group include:

Mobile theatre

Home visits

Music group

Focus group discussions

Public seminars targeting internally displaced persons.

Workshops.

Educational Material and IEC Material

• AUW produced a variety of material advocating and educating

  against the practice. These include:

  -Training packages to provide technical support for NGOs, CBOs

  and Media to assess attitud es towards FGM.

  -Training packages produced advocating for eradication of FGM

  for health cadres religious leaders, youth, teachers and CBOs.

  – Reader on FGM, practice, hazards. Complications and strategy

  for eradication.

  – Articles written on FGM published by AUW in a women exclusive

  journal: The Ahfad Journal.

  – Papers written by members of staff presented at international

  conferences. For example: The differences between the concepts

  of sex and gender and their social impact on the practice of FGM.

  – Music cassettes on FGM.

  – A video tape on the practice and its psychological impact on

  females.

Networking and linkages

AUW has through its years of work established several strong linkages

with different organizations and institutions at different levels,

locally, regional and international working for the eradication

of FGM. Some of these include:

1. Babiker Badri Scientific Association for Women Studies.

2. Sudanese National Center for Eradicating, Harmful Traditional

Practices.

3. FGM National Network

4. FGM Ministerial Committee for the drafting of Legislations against

FGM

-Amanitare partnership, an initiative of RAINBO Organization

-UNICEF, UNFPA,WHO.