1. Health and Social Impact of Violence on Girls GBV Consortium Seminar - 08/03/2012 Alwiye Xuseyn – Migrant Women’s Health Coordinator AkiDwA

2. Background Established in 2001 by a group of African, AkiDwA (swahili for sisterhood) is a network of migrant women living in Ireland. The organisation is overseen by a board of management and currently employ 8 staffs AkiDwA promotes the equality of migrant women in Irish society, free of gender and racial stereotyping.

3. AkiDwA –Mission / Vision Our Mission; to promote equality and justice for migrant women living in Ireland. AkiDwA’s Vision is a just society where there is equal opportunity and equal access to resources in all aspects of society: social, cultural, economic, civic and political.

4. AkiDwA areas of work The organisational work is based under four key strategies: Building the capacity of migrant women and their groups; Raising awareness of migrant women’s issues; Influencing policy, practice and legislation; Strengthening organisational capacity. AkiDwA has focused on the three key themes since 2008: – Employment – Gender discrimination – Gender based violence

5. Female Genital mutilation What is FGM? Female genital mutilation comprises all procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. (Source WHO, 2008 )

6. WHERE? FGM documented in 28 African countries. Country prevalence rates vary widely: 5% in Niger, 19% in Nigeria to 97% in Egypt. High FGM prevalence rate countries include: Eritrea 89% Ethiopia 80% Mali 92% Sierra Leone 94% Somalia 98% Sudan 90%

7. FGM Figures WHO estimate 100 to 140 million girls and women alive today have undergone some form of FGM. 8,000 girls per day undergo FGM. 3 million girls are at risk annually in Africa. Peak age for FGM 5-12, although varies with tribe/culture/region. In Ireland?

8. AkiDwA’s work On Female Genital Mutilation AkiDwA has been working of FGM since 2001 - Coalition established by Comhlamh – First Booklet on FGM, lobbying for FGM legislation : Liz McManus TD introduced a bill to prohibit FGM in the Dáil in 2001 - In 2005 supported by IFPA, AkiDwA organised 3 focus group discussion in Athlone with 15 women from FGM practising communities. - AkiDwA participated in HSE Consultation and FGM is featured in their National Intercultural Health Strategy -2006 - 2008 - HSE Social Inclusion unit- funded AkiDwA in 2009 and 2010 to progress Health Strategy Actions of the National Action Plan

9. In 2008 AkiDwA received funding from former Minister for Integration office to implement a project on FGM. FGM Health forum was established, AkiDwA organised and facilitated 6 meetings. Delivered information sessions on FGM to three main maternity hospitals in Dublin Produced the information resources on FGM for health professionals in Ireland. Delivered workshops on FGM to universities in Dublin and continues to do Worked with HSE on the Patient Information Leaflet on FGM 1 st ever research on data information on FGM In Ireland (Estimates 2585 in 2009 up dated in 2010 3170)

10. 2009 - Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children presentation January 2009 Recommendations to the Committee included 1.Education modules on FGM in all relevant 3 rd level courses (midwifery, social work etc), 2.Polices and guidelines in health care settings developed, in particular for maternity hospitals. 3.Information for health care professionals on appropriate care and referral paths.

11. Progress Made Development National Action Plan to address FGM in Ireland (2009 – 2011) National Steering committee with 15 member organisation. Established two forums with women from FGM practising in Galway and Cork AkiDwA has tirelessly lobbied for the introduction of legislation to criminalise FGM in Ireland In 2010 Minister for health Mary Harney introduces FGM bill In February 2012 Bill discussed and agreed by committee, the bill is at a final stage, hopefully FGM bill will be voted and legislation enacted.

12. Progress cont. HSE - New maternity booking forms include information on FGM and this will assist with data collection on FGM prevalence in Ireland. Awareness raising and training delivered to over 3000 health care professionals Awareness raised at national level through media, seminars and conferences and publications AkiDwA is the Irish partner on European END FGM Campaign led by AI AkiDwA has attempted to be part of the Gender based Violence Consortium since 2007 without success. FGM is a global problem, great to see consortium acknowledge and take interest on FGM in Ireland.

13. AkiDwA Publications  Understanding Gender Based Violence; An African Perspective launched in May 2008  FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION Information for health care professionals in Ireland (in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeon in Ireland)  FGM information leaflet funded by END FGM European Campaign (2011)

14. THANK YOU!!! Alwiye Xuseyn Unit 2 Killarney Court Buckingham Street Dublin 1 info@akidwa.ie www.akidwa.ie