FGM/C Advocacy Toolkit

"An advocacy message sets out what you need your audience to understand, remember and do. It differs from other communication messages because it contains an action desired from your target audience that acts as a solution rather than simply an explanation of the problem."



Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) still remains widespread in many parts of the world, with Africa being one of the regions where FGM/C continues despite efforts to eradicate the practice. FGM/C is deeply entrenched in tradition, culture, and religion, which is overseen by authority figures accepted and respected in society, such as community leaders, traditional leaders, and religious leaders. It is in this context that African Women's Development Network (FEMNET) through United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Spotlight Initiative implemented an FGM/C project in Kenya, Somalia, Egypt, Niger, and Guinea. The project seeks to engage young girls and women in activism, training, solidarity actions, and online/media campaigns. This practical guide is intended for advocates working to stop the practice of FGM/C and to end patriarchy.



The guide:

• Explores the circumstances for the continuation of the practice of FGM/C, mainly centred on religion and a failure to respect human rights of women and girls;
• Highlights the strong co-relation between respect for international human rights law and the duties of governments to ensure that women are free to abandon the practice of FGM/C - e.g., as outlined in the Charter of Feminist Principles;
• Proposes a 2-pronged religious oriented and human rights-based approach to fighting FGM/C; and
• Shares ideas that advocates can use in reaching duty bearers as well as socio-cultural and religious institutions - at both regional and country levels. The following is a common template used for constructing primary advocacy messages:
  • Statement: The central idea that sets out the cause of the problem and highlights why change is important.
  • Evidence: The relevant evidence and data that supports the statement, which should be conveyed using tailored language.
  • Example: A real-life example that adds a human element to the message and appeals to the emotions.
  • Goal: The overall objective you hope to achieve.
  • Action desired: The solution to the problem that your audience can carry out.