Spring Updates from our Amazing Ambassadors
Dear friends,
We hope this newsletter finds you well and that you are enjoying the arrival of spring.
We are delighted to bring you the activities and news of our Ambassador Programmes as we say goodbye to winter and welcome spring.
Since the inception of our Senior and Youth Ambassador programmes, End FGM EU has been constantly working on expanding the number of participants and giving more space to new voices. This spring, it has been a pleasure and an honour to welcome Nabila Salih to the Youth Ambassadors programme!!
FEBRUARY
END FGM EU Network
On Monday 6th February, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM took place. The End FGM European Network organised an event under the title “A roadmap to end FGM: stories of change from the ground.”
The event took place at the European Union Parliament under the co-sponsorship of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, MEP Evin Incir MEP (Sweden, S&D), MEP María Soraya Rodríguez-Ramos (Spain, Renovar Europa) and MEP Herzberger-Fofana (Germany, Greens/EFA).
Also participating were UNFPA Brussels Deputy Director Elena Kasko, representing UNFPA Brussels Director Birgit Van Hout; Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation and Large Cities Policy Caroline Gennez; Secretary of State to the Minister for Gender Equality Martin Andreasson, as well as amazing contributors to our panel discussion: Maria Mollica, Head of DG JUST of the European Commission; Emmanuel Kwame Ossei-Wusu, Lessan Change Mediator; and Roland Zanga, artist and activist.
During the event, various aspects related to the protection and support of communities affected by FGM were discussed. One valuable takeaway was the agreement that it is priority to end FGM no matter where it takes place, as it is a social issue and not an individual one.
ERASMUS+ KICK-OFF MEETING
On 18th February, End FGM EU organised a training session on “How to create a podcast?” held by AreWeEurope as part of the Erasmus+ project of Purple Chair Podcasts. The trainers, Toon and Mya, led the full-day workshop in which 5 of our Youth Ambassadors took part.
For the first time this year, we had the pleasure to have a face-to-face and online meeting with almost all the Youth Ambassadors; Sherifat, Nabila, Imtinan, Bassmala, and Cynthia.
The Youth Ambassadors were welcomed by former Interim Director Emilie Jarrett and the Director Anna Widegren of End FGM EU Network and were motivated to start a day full of intense and interesting discussions!
On the second day, 19th February, the Youth Ambassadors had the opportunity to learn about communication and self-perception as well as gain in-depth understanding about the ERASMUS+ project thanks to the Senior Communication and Campaigns Officer Myriam Mhamedi and the Coordinator of Programmes Isma Benboulerbah.
MARCH
THE FEDERATION OF THE SOMALI ASSOCIATIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS (FSAN)
Wednesday 8 March was International Women's Day. On that day FSAN organised an afternoon of activities, especially for the women of Rijswijk. The event was attended by Mayor Huri Sahin.
A large number of women from Rijswijk registered for International Women's Day and participated in an extensive programme of activities. On this day, women from different backgrounds came together while enjoying a delicious lunch with poetry, music, performances, and dialogue. These activities created a suitable space for discussion and exchange of concerns on issues affecting women. Our Senior Ambassador Ahlam Aziz spoke directly to the mayor about the importance of FGM prevention in the community.
Link for more information | Rijswijk News
UN Women Delegate
Several online meetings organised by UN Women took place between the 6th and 17th of March to celebrate the official induction of the new delegates. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the main global intergovernmental body dedicated to the advancement of women. main global intergovernmental body dedicated exclusively to the promotion of women's equal empowerment of women.
The great news to share is that our Youth Ambassador Sherifat Adeniyi has been nominated by the UN Women UK Commission on the Status of Women Delegate!
Link for more information |CSW67 UN Women UK Delegate
