An estimated 200 million girls and women who are alive today have undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). And more than 3 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM each year. The WHO has documented FGM in more than 30 countries around the world with Central African Republic, Kenya, Somalia and Egypt being the worst perpetrators.
“FGM is condemned by a number of international treaties and conventions, as well as by national legislation in many countries. Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being,” and this statement has been used to argue that FGM violates the right to health and bodily integrity. With FGM considered as a form of violence against women, the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women can be invoked. Similarly, defining it as a form of torture brings it under the rubric of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Moreover, since FGM is regarded as a traditional practice prejudicial to the health of children and is, in most cases, performed on minors, it violates the Convention on the Rights of the Child. An interagency statement on FGM, issued by 10 UN organizations, was issued in 2008.” (Source, UNICEF Data)
We have collected a set of online courses that will help equip you with the skills and knowledge to tackle Female Genital Mutilation.
Social Norms, Social Change (UNICEF)
In this course, which is offered by UNICEF and University of Pennsylvania, you will explore effective interventions aimed to create new, beneficial norms and eliminate harmful ones. The course tackles Female Genital Mutilation, Child Marriage and sanitation practises and consists of two parts. One course takes approximately 14 hours to complete but you can go through it at your own pace.
International Women’s Health and Human Rights (Stanford University)
This course, offered by Stanford University, focuses on women’s health and human rights issues from infancy through old age. You will learn the the basics of women’s rights and human rights before exploring some of the most important human rights issues such as female genital mutilation, HIV/Aids, Reproductive Health, Violence Against Women, Poverty, Women in War and Refugee Settings, Poverty and Human Trafficking. The third week of the course is entirely dedicated to female genital mutilation and includes UNICEF modules on speaking out against FGM.
Confronting Gender Based Violence (Johns Hopkins University)
In this course you will explore gender-based violence from a global health perspective and under consideration of the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for responding to violence against women. You will gain insights into the epidemiology of gender-based violence, learn what psychological support looks like and what clinical care is required for survivors.
Human Rights, Human Wrongs (SDG Academy)
The ninth module of this course which is offered by the SDG Academy is specifically discussing Female Genital Mutilation. The introductory course which takes approximately 14 hours to complete, explores the questions how we can ensure human rights for everyone. From women to children to indigenous peoples, the rights of marginalized groups the world over are violated daily. These injustices affect not just these groups, but also the stability of our world – and our collective future.
