Welcoming 3 new members to the End FGM European Network

During our 2026 General Assembly, held on 4 and 5 June, members of the End FGM European Network came together to reflect on our collective achievements, discuss priorities for the years ahead, and strengthen our shared commitment to ending female genital mutilation (FGM) across Europe. As the Network's highest decision making body, the General Assembly is also a key moment to welcome new organisations into our growing movement.

This year, we are delighted to announce the arrival of three new members: two organisations joining as the first ever Friends of End FGM EU, and one organisation becoming a Full Member of the Network. Their addition reflects the growing strength of the movement to end FGM across Europe. With the inclusion of Luxembourg in the Network, End FGM EU is now represented in 17 European countries, further expanding our collective reach and reinforcing our shared commitment to preventing FGM and supporting affected women and girls across the continent.

Introducing our first Friends of End FGM EU:

The Friends of End FGM EU membership category was created to bring together organisations and institutions that share our values and objectives, while contributing complementary expertise to the movement to end FGM. For the first time in the Network's history, two organisations have joined as Friends of End FGM EU: Voix de Femmes (France) and Zinduka e.V. (Germany). 

Voix de Femmes has worked since 1998 to prevent and combat forced marriage and related forms of violence against women and girls while Zinduka e.V. is a Germany and Kenya based NGO working to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and promote gender equality. Together, they bring new perspectives and strengthen the Network's ability to address the interconnected forms of gender based violence that affect women and girls across Europe.

Their participation marks an important milestone in the development of our Network. By creating new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange, Friends of End FGM EU help strengthen our collective reach and broaden the alliances needed to end gender based violence against women and girls in Europe and beyond.

As observers within the Network, Friends of End FGM EU can participate in discussions, share expertise, and contribute to our collective efforts while supporting the advancement of survivor centred, community led, and rights based approaches to ending FGM.

Welcoming GAMS Luxembourg as a Full Member:

Pictured: Pascale Zaourou, coordinator of GAMS Luxembourg,
during our 2026 General Assembly

We are also proud to welcome GAMS Luxembourg as a new Full Member of the End FGM European Network. GAMS Luxembourg works to prevent female genital mutilation, support affected women and girls, raise awareness among professionals and communities, and advocate for stronger protection and support mechanisms. Through its expertise and commitment, the organisation has become an important actor in the fight against FGM in Luxembourg. 

Its membership comes at a significant moment, following growing recognition of the need for coordinated action on FGM in Luxembourg, including the publication of UNICEF's first national study on the issue.

As a Full Member, GAMS Luxembourg will contribute directly to the Network's governance and strategic direction while bringing valuable expertise, experience, and perspectives from the Luxembourg context. We look forward to working together to advance our shared vision of a world free from FGM and all forms of violence against women and girls.

Building a stronger European movement:

The addition of these three new members reinforces the End FGM European Network's mission to create an enabling environment for coordinated and comprehensive action to end FGM and other forms of violence against women and girls. Their arrival also marks an important milestone for the Network, with Luxembourg becoming the 17th country represented within End FGM EU. Today, the Network brings together organisations from across Europe that share a common vision: a world where women and girls are free from FGM and can fully enjoy their rights.

We warmly welcome our new members and look forward to working together to strengthen prevention efforts, improve support for survivors, amplify community voices, and advance policy change across Europe.