The End FGM European Network welcomes 3 new members

On 19 June, during its annual General Assembly, the End FGM European Network proudly welcomed three new member organisations into the Network. In addition, one associate member was upgraded to full membership.  

Held at Brussels Town Hall, the General Assembly brought together most of the Network’s 39 member organisations, alongside the Board and Secretariat. This in-person gathering was a valuable opportunity to reflect on collective achievements and make a series of key decisions shaping the Network’s future.

One of the key agenda items was the presentation of potential new member organisations, followed by a vote from full members to confirm their integration into the Network. This democratic process ensures that new members are aligned with the Network’s values and mission, and it reinforces the strength of a unified, survivor-centred and community-owned movement.

Members of the Network voting to welcome new organisations during the 2025 General Assembly

This year, three new organisations officially joined the End FGM European Network: Ahcama (Spain), Nosotras Onlus (Italy), and the hospital unit Réparons l’Excision (France), each bringing unique expertise and a shared commitment to ending FGM

Ahcama is a humanitarian association who historically works against FGM and combat all forms of violence against women. Over the past decades, they have been actively working with migrant communities, promoting awareness and supporting affected women through a range of initiatives. Their core activities include annual Zero Tolerance Day events, training sessions, workshops, as well as dialogue and listening spaces with women impacted by FGM.
While headquartered in Catalonia, Ahcama’s work has an international reach, grounded in intercultural mediation and institutional partnerships. Their approach is deeply intersectional, decolonial, and survivor-centred, focusing on empowerment and community engagement. With strong grassroots mobilisation and consistent work within migrant communities, Ahcama brings a powerful voice to the movement. Joining the End FGM European Network represents a meaningful opportunity for them to share and learn best practices, build strategic partnerships, and strengthen joint advocacy efforts, while increasing their institutional capacity and visibility across Europe.

Nosotras Onlus was founded in 1988 in Italy, their goal is to promote intercultural dialogue and advance women’s rights. One of the biggest challenges they faced at the beginning was navigating the perspectives on FGM: while italian society largely opposed the pratice, many African women initially supported it due to cultural norms. Gloria Andarus Bimbi Okhomina, board member of Nosotras Onlus, emphasised: “In the early years, Italian women took the lead in anti-FGM advocacy, but today, women from affected communities are stepping forward to lead the fight themselves.”
The organisation focuses on prevention and eradication of FGM through a rights-based approach that centres women’s empowerment. They offer education and training to daughters, nurses, and other key community actors—not only to raise awareness about FGM, but also to actively contribute to its eradication.

Gloria Andarus Bimbi Okhomina, from Nosotras Onlus, presenting the organisation’s candidature during the 2025 General Assembly

The hospital unit Réparons l’Excision was founded in Seine St Denis, France, in 2017 by Dr. Sarah Abramowicz. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach to care for FGM survivors, including gynecologists, forensic physicians, sexologists, midwives, and social workers. 
Their core mission is to support survivors of FGM in reclaiming their womanhood, with or without surgical intervention. Their work includes training medical professionals, conducting advocacy, detecting high-risk situations, informing patients, and supporting them through administrative procedures. The unit offers three distinct care pathways: medico-legal, medico-psycho-social, and comprehensive medico-surgical care, recommending multiple consultations to provide survivor-centred support adapted to the needs of each patient.
Their motivation to join the Network stems from their commitment to promote multidisciplinary care, share the latest innovations, and collaborate closely with other organisations to improve support for FGM survivors across Europe.

Last but not least, UNAF applied for a change of status, from associate member to full member of the network. They have an approach centred on gender equality and anti-colonialism, focusing on promotion and advocacy. Their expertise spans multiple areas, including FGM, gender-based violence (GBV), sexual and reproductive rights, and forced marriage. Being an associate member of the network has enriched their work in many ways and they are eager to take a more active role within the network as a full member.

We are delighted to welcome these three organisations to the Network and we want to thank UNAF for their renewed trust. We look forward to continued collaboration and to strengthening our partnerships across Europe!

Pictured: Graziana Cusato (Nosotras Onlus), Gloria Andarus Bimbi Okhomina (Nosotras Onlus), Nina Tunon De Lara (Réparons l'Excision), Aissatou Diallo-Bah (Ahcama) and Marcela Barbosa De S.A. Moraes (Ahcama)