Listening to African Voices - FPZ

• In order to encourage an attitude of change relative toFGM/C, the target populations need discussion forumsto question the numerous benefits associated withFGM/C. This is why a one-dimensional approach based onawareness raising of the risks and harmful consequencesof FGM/C will have limited reach. Parallel to providinginformation on the medical, sexual and psychological effectsof FGM/C, it is indispensable to encourage debates inwhich prejudices towards non-circumcised women and thepositive perceptions of FGM/C are questioned. This canbe done within the scope of a multi-dimensional approachwhich comprises a focus on awareness-raising, but also anemphasis on creating spaces in which to discuss the mythsand beliefs related to the practice and to question thebenefits perceived by men and women of different origins.• Open and silent supporters of the practice are foundamong both men and women. Although the practice isoften called “women’s business”, this is far from being thetruth. Both men and women contribute to the dynamicmaintaining FGM/C, both have a right to be informedabout the risks and harmful consequences of the practice,and both have a role to play in its abandonment. Werecommend, thus, the involvement of both women andmen immigrants of all ages in the activities and to adaptthe nature of the activities to gender-specific needs. Girland boy children are a very receptive target group andit is suggested that child and youth-friendly activities beincluded in the action plan.7.2. Recommendations regarding the preparatory stageThe recommendations for this stage stem from the idea oforganising the preparations in four chronological phases:The first phase consists of the establishment of a Pan-AfricanCommittee (PAC). The idea of setting up a committeewith representatives from immigrant communities ofmultiple Sub-Saharan countries arose during the research.Most members of the research team shared a common visionand expressed a strong willingness to continue promotingthe abolition of FGM/C. They had gathered and exchangedmany experiences during the two months of data collectionand established a strong network of contacts across theimmigrant communities. The recommended activities for thefounding members of the PAC are to define their mission,their vision and their intervention domains at this stage,and to work toward making their organisation functional.It is suggested that at least one member be mobilised percountry (from Sub-Saharan Africa) and to invite the researchparticipants who expressed interest in contributing to activitiesagainst FGM/C to join the organisation.The second phase of the preparatory stage will be the disseminationof the research results. The suggested targetgroups for dissemination are stakeholders of the immigrantcommunities from the participating countries (includingreligious and customary leaders, focal points of country andregional/state immigrant associations and women’s groups).The activities should try to reach as many immigrants aspossible and invite them to debate the results. In the processof dissemination, we recommend that the participants fromthe various communities be asked whether any of them isinterested in writing up an action plan against FGM/C fortheir community of origin.Further proposed target groups for information disseminationare the German authorities and government representatives,the civil society (e.g. NGOs, human rights activists) aswell as relevant professional groups (teachers, social workers,reproductive health professionals).The third phase takes place after the information has beendisseminated. Interested representatives of immigrants’associations from different countries of origin are supportedin the development of action plans for the abolition ofFGM/C. The recommended elements for the specifi c actionplan are:• Provision of general support and orientation for the targetedimmigrant populations;• Cultural activities acknowledging the values of Africantraditions;• Awareness raising through films, radio spots, informationleafl ets, theatre and other strategies on the risks andharmful consequences of FGM/C, the position of religiontowards the practice, the position taken by the Germanlegal system and global trends and initiatives on FGM/C;• Debates and round-table discussions on the advantagesand disadvantages of the practice;• Community-based advocacy for the abandonment ofFGM/C encouraging community leaders to speak outagainst the practice;• The establishment of watchdog committees with the aimof sensitising parents who travel with a daughter to theircountry of origin.• The recommended meeting locations are Afro Shops,African restaurants and hairdressers or barber shops.In the fourth stage, the specific action plan will be revisedand compiled into one general action plan by the PAC.We propose that two main sections be included in thegeneral action plan: (1) the specific action plans targetingmembers of particular communities and (2) capacity-buildingactivities (for the immigrant associations, the PAC, reproductivehealth workers etc.) as well as large-scale awarenessraising and advocacy at city, national and international levels.Once the general action plan is finalised, it can be submittedto the City of Hamburg and donor organisations for funding.96Listening to African Voices