Introduction
The project is community Driven FGM/C Abandonment and Women Empowerment in Somaliland. The approach will use is holistic approach which is applicable to Somali context. Candlelight will adapt and use the “Community Empowerment Program/ Approach or Community-led change approach” which is a non-formal education program that puts rural communities in charge of their own future by creating Community Management Committees (CMCs).
Overwhelming majority of the committees are women that will be empowered to be in charge of developing their own capacity and educating negative health and social consequences of FGM through human right principles and Islamic perspectives by respect their social norms.
These will use a non-judgmental, inclusive way to create open dialogue. Committees share their knowledge of human rights through Islamic religion perspective and responsibilities learned in class sessions to all interconnected groups and their social networks.
Goal of the project:
In the project communities focusing in Togdheer, Sahil, Awdal and Marojideh regions, daughters to targeted parents avoid FGM/C, and women in the targeted SHGs are empowered to claim for women’s right to bodily integrity by the end of the project.
Project duration: 2020-2022
PROJECT AREA
Togdher : Buroa
Maroodi-Jeeh: Hargeisa
Sahil: Go’da wein , Go’da yar, Isku dar and Suuqsad
Awdal: Magaalo cad and Magaalo qalooc
Project outcomes:
Outcome 1: Local CSOs have a unified message and coordinated actions against FGM/C
Outcome 2: Religious/traditional leaders and CMC members actively engage in efforts against FGM/C
Outcome 3: Media and students actively engage in efforts against FGM/C
Outcome 4: CLAs engage in advocacy for women’s bodily integrity with respective SHGs.
Project activities are consisting two compounds;
- Rural community education including COVID-19 outbreak response
- University students and Media engagement in urban
Expected achievements
- Rural target communities and other beneficiaries are aware of the negative consequences of FGM/C and are willing to abandon the practice
- Created and trained CMCs based on the target villages in order to sustain continue awareness rising on FGM now and after ended of the project.
- Youth/ students in target universities are empowered and actively engage in campaigns towards abandoning FGM/C (Academic research and media campaigns
- Candlelight actively networking, coordinating with relevant stakeholders for coalition building, knowledge and experience sharing and learning
Funded by: UNTF
Implementing: CANDLELIGHT, NAFIS NETWORK and ISF
Project Social media links:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CandlelightAntiFGM
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CandlelightFGM
