Girls dream of a Sudan where they are protected from FGM
UNICEF celebrates International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, waves off Saleema caravan to mobilize communities against the harmful practice
On 6 February 2023, more than 200 girls at Al-fayha Basic School for girls in Khartoum joined UNICEF, partners, parents, teachers, and donors to celebrate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. Full of energy, the pupils chanted, chatted, and whispered to one another. The day was about them – protecting them from harm by the deep-rooted practice.
The event was a commemoration of the day that was designated by the United Nations to remind countries about the need to put an end to a harmful practice that remains common in countries including Sudan and yet violates the rights of women and girls.
In Sudan, almost 9 in every 10 women have been subjected to female genital mutilation, despite a law that criminalizes the practice in existence since July 2020. If nothing is done to stop the practice, millions of girls in Sudan including the vibrant young girls at Al-fayha remain at risk.
The theme this year ‘Partnership with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End Female Genital Mutilation,’ is another reminder that eliminating FGM requires a collective effort.
“Our engagement with men and boys is critical to the fight against Female Genital mutilation,” said Ms. Mandeep O’Brien, UNICEF Representative in Sudan.
Empowering girls as agents of change
At Al-fayha Girls’ School and many more other schools across Sudan, UNICEF and partners are empowering girls through school clubs also known as Saleema clubs, to speak against the practice. The club members are also commonly known as Saleema champions.
Saleema in Arabic means whole, healthy in body and mind, unharmed, intact, pristine, and untouched, in a God-given condition.
To successfully deliver on their mandate, the Saleema champions are trained and equipped with positive messaging advocating for keeping girls unharmed through female genital mutilation. This is what the Saleema initiative is all about. Initiated in 2018, the initiative promotes positive communication approaches to families and communities, including men and boys, and usage of new positive terminology to describe the natural bodies and social status of girls and women.
Saleemas speak up on behalf of millions of girls
When provided with a platform to speak at the event, Maryam Abdalrahman and Bara Mohammed, both aged 13 years and members of the school’s Saleema club, explained what being a Saleema means to them, the importance of keeping all girls Saleema and their work in communities and surrounding schools as their contribution to protecting the future of girls.
They echoed the need for them as Saleem champions to raise awareness in all parts of Sudan to make their communities the best they can be.
“For me, as Baraa, my dream is for our Saleema message to reach all of Sudan,” Bara Mohammed loudly emphasized.
As these young girls and many across the country lead the call for every girl to be born and grow Saleema, UNICEF, partners and donors also reiterated their support and commitment towards ensuring safer communities for girls to live. It is a collective effort and so far, there is progress.
Ruth Lawson, the Development Director at the British Embassy in Sudan applauded the Saleema champions – “It takes bravery and confidence to talk to communities, children, parents and your families. I admire and acknowledge the inspiration that you are.” “My appreciation to all Saleemas and wish you all the success as you continue this great work.”
H.E. Ambassador Philip Lupul, the Canadian Ambassador to Sudan reiterated Canada’s commitment towards promoting women and girls’ rights and commended UNICEF’s efforts to addressing the barriers to girls’ education; protecting girls from all forms of violence; and promoting their wellness.
“We recognize that supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world,” he stressed.
For several years, UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA through the Sudan Free from FGM joint programme with the generous support of the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom, have been implementing initiatives such as Saleema at the grassroots, in schools, to create environments where girls can live free from Female genital Mutilation. While the programme has registered gains, the hard work continues until every girl is protected.
Launching the Saleema caravan for community activations
At the event, UNICEF and partners launched the ‘Saleema caravan’ that will traverse communities sharing messages on the benefits of keeping girls Saleema through awareness-raising sessions, in and out of school youth dialogues, theatrical performances via the interactive theatre groups.
“We are pleased to witness to the launch of the Saleema Caravan which is a smart way to further engage with communities and raise awareness about FGM. We hope that it will also generate a meaningful conversation about child early and forced marriage,” H.E. Philip Lupul shared.
The Saleema champions that spoke on behalf of the many other girls in Sudan called on fathers, brothers, uncles and grandparents students, teachers, child rights organisations, in Sudan and across the world to protect girls from FGM as well as address negative social norms that affect them.
“This is why we stand in front of you talking about Saleema and ending FGM. We hope our message has reached you,” they concluded.
