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multimedia presentations in their visits to womenin the villages to discuss health issues, tap radioor television broadcasts to promote their cause,access the internet to communicate with key influencerswithin Iraq and abroad, as well as use ICTtools to gather and analyse statistical evidence.While these activists are using ICTs to engage inparticipatory democracy and citizenship, we dorealise that these women represent an educatedminority in this public sphere. In a country whereICTs and indeed even electricity are not consistentlyavailable to all, an NGO is fortunate to have dedicatedactivists and volunteers who can be trainedwith the right ICT tools to reach out to their communities.These core members facilitate an NGObuilding a women’s movement. As the world’s mediacontinue to take notice of their tireless work,the issue of FGM within Kurdistan and surroundingregions has attracted the attention of filmmakersand international broadcasters. A feature-lengthdocumentary film that would expose the problemto a global audience is currently in production. Aninternational spotlight on this issue can ultimatelyonly help the cause.In defying opponents of the new law, Wadi canalso report on its major recent success in convincingseven Kurdish villages to abandon the practiceof FGM. Collectively, the women and the leadersin these villages pledged to end FGM. Since thebeginning of this programme, there has been noevidence of the villages failing to keep their promise.Wadi aims to spread this approach to otherareas of the country. Mobile teams of female activistsapproach remote villages where, besides themultimedia presentations mentioned above, theyscreen a short film about FGM using a portableprojector and laptop. They hold discussions withwomen and village elders. The decision to end thepractice is never coerced but rather encouragedthrough education. The activists also help withsmall development projects such as installing asmall electrical generator or a portable classroomfor the village. They also teach the women sewing,computer and literacy skills as well as provide firstaid training, since many of these villages are farfrom medical centres. 19 It is with this kind of multiprongedcommitment that the locals grow to trustthe Wadi activists and their push to end FGM.ConclusionsThere are several conclusions to make regardingWadi’s experience using ICTs in their fight againstFGM. Wadi’s struggle to end FGM in Iraq has been19 www.stopfgmkurdistan.org/html/english/updates/update017e.htma long and as yet incomplete journey. Wadi realisesthat success comes in incremental steps. First,they disproved sceptics within Iraq and abroad toshow that FGM is a problem. With video and statisticalevidence, they got the attention of the world’smedia as well as Kurdish politicians. Second, Wadialso realises that local laws are not enough, as theissue is a national problem. Through their surveysand documentation, they proved FGM exists outsideKurdish communities within Iraq. Efforts tolobby the central government to enact national lawsare a crucial development. Third, Wadi needs tocontinuously train a strong team of activists in usingICTs to conduct educational outreach to womenthroughout their region. Fourth, for the women andthe villages to trust the activists, Wadi must work ona long-term basis with them through education, developmentand assistance. Fifth, the involvement ofinternational partners should not be understated.Receiving global support for their work would leadthe central government in Baghdad as well as politiciansin Kurdistan to pay particular attention to thedangers of FGM.Action stepsNGOs seeking to use ICTs to further the cause ofwomen’s rights should consider implementing thefollowing steps:• Recruit and train activists to use not just online butalso other varieties of ICTs. Realising that the internetis not always available to all, activists foundthat knowing how to present a radio programme,edit a video or use multimedia presentations in remotevillages are examples of the many ICT skillsthat work with or without internet access.• Use ICT tools in all aspects of work, from communicationand implementation to research andmanagement.• Lobby governments to enact laws protectingwomen but realise that the passing of new lawsis not enough. Activists must also lobby to havegovernments implement the laws as well as encouragethe public to change their attitudes. Inall these efforts, ICTs can be very helpful.• Whenever necessary and possible, add internationalcomponents to the project by tappingthe internet. Whether these components are internationalfunding, publicity, lobbying or training,external help can elevate the importance ofsome projects. Sometimes international presscoverage and outrage can shame politiciansinto action. ■141 / Global Information Society Watch