About the Webinar
Even though Female Genital Cutting (FGC) is condemned by many international treaties and conventions, it continues to be performed in accordance with social norms. Social norms have a powerful influence over communities and guide behaviour, including gender roles, attitudes, and values, which contribute to FGC.
On July 1st, our webinar will explore how FGC is a social norm. The discussion will investigate tension between community social norms and the advocacy that occurs around ending FGC.
This webinar will bring together a diverse array of voices and give participants the opportunity to be part of the discussion on how we can all become better educated, and better advocates, in the journey to end FGC. Social norms are complex, but as they evolve, so too can they bring about an end to female genital cutting.
Our Panel
This event will be moderated by Sahiyo co-founder, Aarefa Johari. Based in Mumbai, Aarefa is a Sahiyo co-founder and activist against FGC. She is also a talented journalist and winner of the Chameli Devi Jain Award.
For our distinguished guest speakers, we are delighted to have Maryan Abdikadir and Molly Melching. Maryan Abdikadir is a survivor and activist against FGC. Holding two Master's degrees, Maryan is a researcher and author. She has undertaken FGM abandonment programs and participated in the drafting of the Prohibition of FGM Bill in Kenya. Molly Melching is Founder and Creative Director of Tostan. She has received international recognition for her groundbreaking work in the areas of social norm change and human rights education. She has received numerous awards including: UNESCO’s King Sejong Literacy Prize, The Thomas J. Dodd Award for Justice and Human Rights, among others.
Register for the Understanding Social Norms to End Female Genital Cutting webinar here.