In a world that strives for gender equality and human rights, there exist deeply rooted practices that continue to harm and oppress women and girls. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a harmful practice, is one such practice that has persisted for centuries, affecting millions of lives across the globe.
FGM encompasses various procedures that involve the partial or complete removal of external female genitalia or other forms of injury to the female genital organs. This horrific practice has been carried out for cultural, religious, or societal reasons, causing physical, emotional, and mental harm to the girls and women subjected to it.
4.40Million
In 2024, nearly 4.4 million girls – or more than 12,000 each day – are at risk of female genital mutilation around the world.
1.40Billion
The financial cost of health care for FGM survivors is USD 1.4 billion every year.
200Million
There are over 200 million girls and women alive today who are survivors of FGM.
Imagine a world where survivors of FGM are not just heard but actively lead discussions and efforts to eradicate this practice. Imagine a world where women and girls who have escaped the practice can share their stories, their perspectives. It’s possible, and it starts with us. We must ensure that the voices of survivors and the voices of women and girls working on this issue are at the forefront of local, regional, and global dialogues. Their stories and experiences can be powerful tools to raise awareness and inspire collective action.
Empowerment is the key. FGM survivors and advocates have a unique perspective and an unparalleled commitment to ending this practice. By enabling survivors and advocates to take the lead in the fight against FGM, allocating resources to support their efforts, and providing capacity-building opportunities, we are investing in a future free from FGM.
Education and empowerment go hand in hand. By investing in educational programs, life skills training, and entrepreneurship opportunities, we equip women and girls to advocate for a world where future generations are free from FGM.
The statistics speak volumes – millions of girls are still at risk of undergoing FGM. Progress has been made, but we need to accelerate our efforts tenfold to meet the global target of FGM elimination by 2030. It’s a daunting challenge, but we must use the tools and the knowledge available to make as much progress as possible.
We invite you to take a closer look at the impactful work PMC is doing and join us in advocating for the end of FGM.
Acting together, the Ethiopian Government and United Nations Fund set life-changing objectives for Ethiopians. One of their goals was to achieve zero tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2024. They also aimed to increase the contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) among women of reproductive age. To support these goals, PMC-Ethiopia strategically designed and launched Nekakat (“Cracked”). This radio show was purposefully created to educate and entertain listeners, serving as a crucial component of a nationwide communications campaign focused on these critical issues.
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Maisha Pakacha
Developed as part of UNFPA/UNICEF’s Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, Maisha Pakacha aired twice weekly on two radio stations covering different regions and reaching different audiences across Kenya. The show is in Kiswahili, the language best determined by PMC to reach the most listeners across several broadcast regions.
Audiences will also be interacting with storylines and characters across multiple channels, including WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Issues addressed in Maisha Pakacha include female genital mutilation, family planning, adolescent reproductive health, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
As with all PMC shows, Maisha Pakacha was created using PMC’s social change methodology.
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Yam Yankré
This 156-episode radio show in the Mooré language aired from September 2012 through March 2014 and will be rebroadcast in 2021.
Yam Yankré aired on 22 community radio stations across Burkina Faso, as well as on Radio diffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB). It was one of two PMC radio shows on the air at that time. Hεrε S’ra was also airing in the Dioula language. Clinic monitoring estimated the combined listenership of these two programs at six million people. The radio broadcast from 2012-2014 included weekly listeners’ contests in which listeners were quizzed on the storylines and issues they address. In just two months, there were 3,797 listeners who called in for the contests.
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Maisha Pakacha
Kenya
Project Duration:
2020-2021
Developed as part of UNFPA/UNICEF’s Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, Maisha Pakacha aired twice weekly on two radio stations covering different regions and reaching different audiences across Kenya. The show is in Kiswahili, the language best determined by PMC to reach the most listeners across several broadcast regions.
Audiences will also be interacting with storylines and characters across multiple channels, including WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Issues addressed in Maisha Pakacha include female genital mutilation, family planning, adolescent reproductive health, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
As with all PMC shows, Maisha Pakacha was created using PMC’s social change methodology.
Yam Yankré
Burkina Faso
Project Duration:
2012-2014
This 156-episode radio show in the Mooré language aired from September 2012 through March 2014 and will be rebroadcast in 2021.
Yam Yankré aired on 22 community radio stations across Burkina Faso, as well as on Radio diffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB). It was one of two PMC radio shows on the air at that time. Hεrε S’ra was also airing in the Dioula language. Clinic monitoring estimated the combined listenership of these two programs at six million people. The radio broadcast from 2012-2014 included weekly listeners’ contests in which listeners were quizzed on the storylines and issues they address. In just two months, there were 3,797 listeners who called in for the contests.
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ADDRESSING FGM AND CHILD MARRIAGE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Eradicating FGM is not just a matter of individual rights; it’s a prerequisite for sustainable development. Studies show girls who undergo FGM are more likely to drop out of school, limiting their economic opportunities and perpetuating poverty cycles. The health complications associated with FGM strain healthcare systems, further hindering development.
Population Media Center (PMC) tackles the deeply ingrained issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) with a unique weapon: storytelling. We weave powerful narratives, like radio dramas and telenovelas, that resonate with local communities across the globe. These stories portray the devastating consequences of FGM, not through lectures, but through the eyes of relatable characters facing similar pressures.
Read our insightful exploration in this blog as PMC-Kenya shares its tried and true transformative storytelling approach to support the work of UNFPA-UNICEF’s Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.
Population Media Center began working in Kenya in 2020 to support the work of UNFPA-UNICEF’s Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation. As part of the project, PMC-Kenya launched two radio shows in Kenya, using its tried and true transformative storytelling approach. Learn more about how PMC-Kenya is addressing FGM.
At 16, Lamrot couldn’t have guessed that she would become a role model in her Ethiopian town for her advocacy against female genital mutilation (FGM).…
Population Media Center Kenya World Population Day 2023 Forum
PMC Kenya Country Director – Tom Kazungu speaks on the effects of Population.
International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM – Liberia Radio Broadcast
Marian Deah sheds light on the significance of this day and shares insights on how we can collectively work towards eradicating Female Genital Mutilation.
Support Our Work To End FGM Today
Join us in transforming lives and reshaping societal norms by supporting Population Media Center. Your donation fuels groundbreaking entertainment education initiatives that combat Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage, harnessing the power of storytelling to create lasting change and empower communities worldwide. Together, let’s break the cycle and build a future free from these harmful practices—donate now to make a meaningful impact.
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FGM cannot be allowed to continue — and it’s up to all of us in the Kenyan community to stop it. Our work on FGM at PMC-Kenya has convinced us that this is a change we can win, even if it is hard-won. And we know that the wisdom and healing that will flow forth when our girls, and our entire country, is free from this violence will be breathtaking.”
– The above statement was issued in February 2023 by Tom Kazungu, Country Director, PMC-Kenya.
Female genital mutilation is not just a health issue; it’s a human rights violation that hinders access to opportunities and resources, preventing girls and women from realizing their full potential. By prioritizing the rights and dignity of women and girls, we contribute to equitable social and economic development.
Let’s unite, take action, and be the change we want to see in the world. By amplifying survivor voices, investing in survivor-led movements, prioritizing services, and empowering survivors, we can create a future where FGM is nothing but a painful memory of the past. Together, we can ensure that no girl or woman is left behind in the quest for a world without FGM.
