A stronger Africa has no place for FGM/C
Amref works in partnership with grassroots activists and practising communities across Africa to reduce rates of FGM/C and defend a girl’s right to define her own future.
girls are estimated to be at risk of FGM/C every year
women and girls who are alive today have already undergone FGM/C
It is known to be practised in 28 countries across Africa
What is Amref doing to help?
Amref understands that FGM/C is a complex practice, rooted in traditions that vary from community to community. That’s why we:
- Start by listening to communities to understand what FGM/C means to them; only then can we begin to find a path towards ending the practice.
- Developed the ‘Community-Led Alternative Rites of Passage’ model together with Maasai communities in Kajiado County. The ‘Alternative Rite of Passage’ retains the cultural significance of FGM/C without the physical or psychological damage of the cut, celebrating the transition into womanhood without inflicting harm.
- Engage entire communities in dialogues to prepare for positive change. Change will only be meaningful, or sustainable, if the whole community is on board, from girls’ parents to the young men they are likely to marry; and from community and religious leaders to the cutters that often double as birth attendants.
Hear Jane tell her story of escaping FGM/C
Jane is 23 years old. From a small village in Kajiado County, Kenya, she's forged a future for herself to lead change. And she started with herself when she refused the tradition of Female Genital Mutilation. She ran away from home, got support from Amref Health Africa to learn more about the negative impacts of the cut, and got leadership training to help her advocate for change.
A job only a survivor could do
Cynthia's childhood was violated by the cut of FGM/C which was forced upon her without her parents’ knowledge or consent. That trauma runs deep, and Cynthia harnesses it to try to ensure no more girls have to endure what she has.
Now she works on the front-line of crisis, working with communities like the one she grew up in to spread awareness of the devastating impact of FGM/C on girls, women and their whole families.
Alternative rites of passage
Working with communities across Africa, we co-create these Alternative Rites of Passage (ARP ) ceremonies, to celebrate a girl's transition to womanhood in a way that makes sense for their unique culture and society without inflicting harm.
Credits
- Cynthia (pictured above)educates on FGM/C (c) Amref Health Africa/Esther Sweeney
- Valentine Siantei (pictured above) at an ARP Ceremony, 2024 (c) Amref Health Africa/Dennis Ochiel
- Jane with her mum and sister, carousel £26, credit: Amref Health Africa, Wesley Koskei
- Phoebe, carousel £9 and £5, credit: Amref Health Africa, Esther Sweeney
- Anne, carousel £55 and £10, credit: Amref Health Africa, Dennis Ochiel
- Cynthia with ARP attendees, carousel £20, credit: Amref Health Africa, Esther Sweeney
Frequently Asked Questions
Amref Health Africa is the largest Africa-based international health development organisation. We work in 35 countries to improve people’s access to primary healthcare to bring about lasting health change in Africa. Every year, we reach an average of 17 million people across these countries.
We begin by listening to communities, designing our programmes and finding solutions in partnership with them. We look at the barriers that stand in the way of people accessing health services and address them holistically. Our programmes are people-centred, evidence-based, and sustainable. And because we are Africa-led - with decades-strong, trusting relationships with communities and decision-makers across the continent - we are able to go further, reaching more people. Together, we are creating lasting health change.
When you set up a regular gift, you are helping to drive long-term, sustainable change. We work to create lasting health change in Africa. By addressing the root-causes which create barriers to accessing health services, we are shaping a future where everyone can claim their human right to good health. This work takes time.
Your monthly gift:
- Enables us to plan ahead, calmly, and to anticipate the unexpected.
- Shields us from changes in the external environment.
- Frees us up to develop programmes in response to the needs expressed by the communities we serve.
- Allows us to try innovative new approaches - and scale up what works.
- Means we can implement long-term programmes that create sustainable, systemic, generational change. We know that this kind of change - especially Commented changes in beliefs, norms and deeply-rooted / deeply-engrained practices - takes time. It can’t be rushed.
Like Amref’s other country offices, we raise money for our work from generous gifts from people like you, including donations, legacies and fundraising to support lasting health change across Africa.
We also receive funding from organisations, including our corporate partners and charitable trusts and foundations. Find out more about how your donations are spent by reading our annual impact reports.
We are committed to using your gifts wisely. 85% of every pound raised goes directly to programme costs. Your donation will support our many community-led and people-driven programmes across Africa, and the vital work behind them. A small but essential part is used to support the wider organisation and raise future funds – ensuring that your gift has long-term impact. To find out more about how your donations are spent read our annual impact reports.
From protecting infants against deadly diseases, to supporting people who have experienced sexual or gender-based violence, it is our promise to you that we are honest, accurate and transparent in how we work. Find out more about our Fundraising Promise to you.
Please make your gift payable to ‘Amref Health Africa’ and post it to Amref Health Africa, Canopi, 82 Tanner Street, London SE1 3GN – Thank you!
To make a donation over the phone, please call Yohanah, our Fundraising Administrator, on 020 7269 5520 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday – Thank you for your generosity!
We're happy to help with any queries you may have. You can contact us anytime using this form.
Other ways to contact us include:
- Email Yohanah via info@amrefuk.org,
- Call us on 020 7269 5520 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday
- Send a letter: Amref, Canopi, 82 Tanner Street, London, SE1 3GN.
We'd love to hear from you.
Thank you for your interest, you can visit our information page, here. You can read about our work on Alternative Rites of Passage, and how advocates such as Jane continue to use their voice to bring change to their communities.