Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a worldwide problem.
Worldwide 3 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM/C, while 140 million women and girls are currently living with its consequences. FGM/C is practiced in 28 African countries, South East Asia, the Middle East (including Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen), and has been found happening in the United States even as recently as April 2017 in Michigan.
On May 22, 2018, Women Watch Afrika’s Attorney and Legal Advocate, along with it’s Founder and Executive Director were asked to participate in the ground breaking pilot program Operation Limelight USA at the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The Operation is way of informing travelers of the laws against FGM/C, the dangers involved, and the serious penalties for engaging in its practice. This is a pilot program based on the U.K.’s Operation Limelight at Heathrow Airport.
Women Watch Afrika had a successful day of Operation Limelight USA, FGM awareness education with DHS and HSI. And the event was the kick off for our upcoming FGM/C Awareness Education Summit this summer.
Women Watch Afrika, Inc. (WWA) stands firm in the movement to end all forms of violence against women, and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a particularly brutal form of violence against women. As an expert in the FGM/C field and as the eyes and ears of our community, WWA’s advocacy efforts in ending FGM/C in Georgia reaches more than 1,180 households with our FGM/C prevention education, totaling 4,550 in just the last four years.
Annually, Women Watch Afrika educates newly arriving refugees about regulatory laws in the United States, with a special focus on the laws against the practice of FGM/C, Family Violence, and Child Abuse.
Women Watch Afrika has taken the revolutionary steps to involve men in the campaign to eradicate the practice of FGM/C using culturally appropriate tools and actively engages African immigrant youths in the movement to prevent the practice as “Peer Gate Keepers.” Additionally, Women Watch Afrika introduced a “Birth Justice” campaign to prevent Women who have gone through the practice of FGM from going through unjustified caesarian sections.
As an expert in this field, Women Watch Afrika provides trainings as a consultant on the issue. For more information on training, guidance, consulting services, and/or information on working with immigrant communities contact Glory Kilanko, Founder and Executive Director, Women Watch Afrika, Inc. at 404-759-6419 or womenwatchafrika@gmail.com
Be a supporter of WWA and help us to continue this wonderful work and advocacy that we are doing! You may make a gift through the link below:
Or make a check payable to:
Women Watch Afrika
P. O. Box 208
Avondale Estates, GA 30002
Author: Preye Cobham, Esq.
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