Violence Against Women
15-year-old Istar saved by the Galkayo Center
Dear Friends,
Today is International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). But in Somalia, 98% of girls have been subjected to FGM. Many of these girls will lose their lives as a result – from hemorrhage, infection, or later in life during childbirth.
BuzzFeed News: Meet The Two People Risking Everything to End FGM in Somalia
Our partner Hawa Aden, director of the Galkayo Education Center for Peace and Development (GECPD), is risking everything to end female genital mutilation in Somalia
Read the article in BuzzFeed News
The Brutal Silencing of a Woman at the Forefront of Libya’s Rebellion
The Brutal Silencing of a Woman at the Forefront of Libya’s Rebellion Salwa Bugaighis Read the article about the assassination of Salwa Bugaighis from The…
Rachel Moran’s Journey through Prostitution
Rachel Moran’s Journey through Prostitution Rachel Moran came from a troubled family background. Taken into State care at fourteen, she became homeless and fell into…
FGM Fund: Efua Dorkenoo – In Memoriam
We mourn the passing of Efua Dorkenoo, a shining light in the campaign to end female genital mutilation. Efua was the first to talk about FGM as a human rights violation at the UN in the 1970s. She was a visionary, at home on the front lines of grassroots activism and a force to be reckoned with in the halls of the World Health Organization. Wherever she was, Efua always used her creative energy to mobilize strategic and effective action. She was honored for her work by the Queen of England, who bestowed the Order of the British Empire on her. Efua built a global movement. We must honor her and her work by carrying it forward.
Lolo’s Story
Lolo’s Story Lolo came to Embrace Dignity eager to leave the life of prostitution. As one of their youngest survivors, she was just 17 when…
The death of a 6 year-old girl in Somalia
With great sadness, we want to share with you the following news from Hawa Aden Mohamed, director of the Galkayo Education Center for Peace and Development (GECPD), our partner organization working to stop female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somalia. Hawa writes:
The Guardian article: Will Bonn deliver results for women in Afghanistan?
“The biggest fear we have right now is reconcilliation with the Taliban,” says Ghaffar. “Will women play a role in these discussions? Will women’s rights be part of the negotiations?”
Learning to Read
Afeeza is 24, with large, exquisite eyes like dark pools reflecting light. Yet she keeps her gaze cast down and covers her face with her veil.
Human Rights Defender
Human Rights Defender Throughout the DRC, ravaged by over two decades of war, the work is difficult and dangerous. In certain areas the female human…