Kigali, Rwanda — On July 16th, the Catalyzing Global Action to End FGM/C Women Deliver Pre-Conference (of which Sahiyo as a part of the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C was a co-host) saw the launch of the Kigali Declaration which called on funders to close the funding gap needed to end FGM/C amongst future generations. This declaration serves as an exercise of collective power from hundreds of activists, grassroots organizations, international NGOs, and academics, to highlight the urgent resourcing need for the End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting sector.
Specifically, this calls for accelerated investments and actions, with women-led organizations and the feminist movement at the center, for women and girls’ bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights. It also includes a call for a global summit dedicated to funding the end of this harmful practice.
The Declaration emphasizes the need to shift funding to grassroots organizations, and aims to mobilize donors and stakeholders to invest in the movement and bridge the funding gap: where only $4 available to avert each case of FGM/C, when $95 is required. By galvanizing support and resources, we can make significant strides in our efforts to end FGM/C. Read the 2023 Kigali Declaration here.
Cover photo: Nabeela Iqbal reads out the Kigali Declaration on July 18th at a Women Delivery Plenary event