Zero Tolerance Week: A Recap of Our Impactful Events!
Zero Tolerance Week: A Recap of Our Impactful Events!
From February 4th to 7th, the End FGM European Network hosted and participated in a series of impactful events in honor of Zero Tolerance Day for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). It was an incredible opportunity to reflect on our progress, share our vision for the future, and join forces with advocates, policymakers, and professionals to take action toward eradicating FGM.
Here’s a look at what we accomplished throughout the week!
Day 1 – Tuesday, 4 February 2025
Join Our Chain International Conference
Brussels, EP Room SPAAK 7C50
We kicked off the week by celebrating the success of the Join Our Chain project, co-hosted by MEP Maria Noichl (S&D Germany). The conference brought together key European decision-makers, allies, and ambassadors to discuss the project’s impact at both local and European levels. We also launched our Annual Campaign, reaffirming our commitment to eliminating FGM across Europe and beyond.
Read the press release here.
Read the full article here.
Discover our campaign #Invest2PreventFGM.
Day 2 – Wednesday, 5 February 2025
GAMS Be National Conference – Towards the Elimination of FGM: A Coordinated National Approach
Brussels, Federal Parliament Erasmus Room
On Day 2, we joined GAMS Be to discuss Belgium's progress in ending FGM and the priorities for the coming years. Our Interim Director, Marianne Nguena Kana, was part of a panel with federal parliamentarians and key stakeholders from civil society, early childhood, and equal opportunities sectors. The conference provided an opportunity to reflect on current efforts and look ahead to future strategies.
Fabienne Richard, Executive Director at Gams Belgium, recalled the importance of multidisciplinary centers and prevention work, emphasizing why the End FGM E-Campus is a crucial tool for professionals working with the practice.
Aminata Sidibe, End FGM EU co-president & coordinator for GAMS Be Marianne Nguena Kana , Interim Director End FGM EU Xheni Dani, Policy & Advocacy Coordinator End FGM EU Fabienne Richard, Director Gams Be
Day 3 – Thursday, 6 February 2025
Y-ACT Final Event: “SPEAK UP – Giving Voice to Younger Generations for the Prevention of FGM”
Brussels, EP Room 1G3
In the afternoon, we participated in the Y-ACT final event, led by Amref Italy and co-hosted with MEP Cristina Guarda. This powerful gathering included youth activists, who presented their Manifesto for the Abandonment of FGM.
Rewatch the online streaming
About the project
Watch the Y-ACT project videos
Aminata Sidibe, End FGM EU co-president & coordinator for GAMS Be, discussed local strategies to involve youth in anti-FGM programs. End FGM EU Senior Project Officer, Queralt Perarnau, shared insights on how youth can play a pivotal role in the movement against FGM, as well as the progress made by the Network — from not having a youth program to establishing a dedicated Youth Ambassadors Program and the creation of the Purple Chair Podcast, a podcast made by youth from diaspora communities for youth. The podcast is available on Youtube and Spotify.
Aminata Sidibe, End FGM EU co-president & coordinator for GAMS Be
Christina Guarda, MEP Greens/LEFT EP
Marianne Nguena, Interim Director End FGM EU
ActionAid Italy – Conference on Reconstructive Surgery
Milan, Sala Consiglio, Palazzo Isimbardi / Online
Meanwhile, in Milan, ActionAid Italy hosted a conference on FGM reconstructive surgery with the Italian Society on Reconstructive Surgery. Our Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Xheni Dani, shared valuable insights alongside healthcare professionals and institutions, discussing the importance of reconstructive surgery for FGM survivors. Watch the streaming here.
Our Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Xheni Dani discussing the EU Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence
Day 4 – Friday, 7 February 2025
Stakeholder Meeting – End FGM E-Campus, A Key Online Tool for Practitioners
Brussels, UK Embassy
On the final day of Zero Tolerance Week, we co-hosted, together with the UK Mission to the EU, a stakeholder meeting at the UK Embassy in Brussels, focusing on the End FGM E-Campus.
Aminata Sidibe, our co-president and coordinator for GAMS Be, presented the free online platform designed for professionals working on FGM, offering a space to share knowledge and best practices. Xheni Dani, our Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, along with Laura Guthrie, Foreign Policy & Development Attaché at the UK Mission to the European Union, shared insights on best practices in FGM prevention. Valerie Lolomari, founder of Women of Grace UK, also joined the discussion and provided feedback on how user-friendly, easy to navigate, and comprehensive the platform’s knowledge is.
The platform is completely free and provides specialized, country-specific knowledge available in five languages: English, Dutch, Greek, Italian, and Portuguese.
End FGM EU at the UK Embassy in Brussels with partner UK Mission to the EU and stakeholders
A Huge Step Forward in Ending FGM
Throughout the week, we made tremendous strides in our collective efforts to eliminate FGM. We brought together advocates, youth leaders, policymakers, and professionals to share knowledge, discuss strategies, and commit to meaningful action. We remain committed to our mission of #Unite2EndFGM and #Invest2PreventFGM.
You can still be part of the movement:
- Register on the End FGM E-Campus today
- Join our campaign #Invest2PreventFGM!
- Follow Join Our Chain
Be sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X for the latest updates and insights from our mission to end FGM.
