Latest news with #FGM
ITV News
5 days ago
- Sport
- ITV News
Scoring goals and tackling STIs: non-stop football tournament raises £20k for HIV awareness charity
Hundreds of islanders in Jersey took part in a non-stop football tournament on Saturday to raise money for HIV and AIDS awareness charity, TackleAfrica. The opening whistle signalled the start of 12 hours of non-stop play, with each of the six-a-side teams allowed just two additional players to continuously sub in throughout the course of the day. Raising £20,000 for charity, the 'football marathon' was more than just a unique fundraising effort - the game of football is a central part of everything TackleAfrica does. The charity operates in sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of using football to educate communities about avoiding STIs, living with HIV, and supporting others to do the same. Local organiser John Gamble explains: "Tackle uses football as a teaching method - it's a really interactive and engaging way of working with young adults." "We layer in sexual health, AIDS, HIV, FGM messaging into football drills and in that way we find we can get messaging across much more easily, in a visual way that people easily understand." George Warran, TackleAfrica's UK events manager, adds: "For example, we do this drill where the goal would represent genitalia, and footballs would represent STIs." "By adding defences - or condoms - they then can't contract the STIs, because they're practicing safe sex". He adds: "We will see groups of 30, 40 young people with one coach, all engaged, all asking questions, all sharing the message with their friends". The charity then ensure that local football coaches are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to continue teaching their own communities. The marathon is in its 14th year in Jersey, and saw players of all abilities come together - including two members of the recently-promoted Jersey Bulls. John says: "What started out with 6 teams as a bit of an idea has grown, and become a real fixture in the Jersey football community - and it's a terrific day that people look out for". George adds: "It's one of those things where friends come together, have a blast doing it - but there's a message behind it that people connect with, there's something purposeful we are raising money for".
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Guinean troops trigger panic in renewed Sierra Leone border standoff
A long-running border dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea has flared again, after a military incident forced villagers to flee and reignited diplomatic tensions between the two West African neighbours. On 28 April, Guinean soldiers fired three shots in the air as they attempted to enter the village of Sokoma, near Yenga – a mineral-rich settlement that has been contested for more than two decades. The gunfire caused panic in nearby communities and sent residents fleeing south towards the town of Koindu. 'We heard three gunshots,' local resident Daniel Makundu told RFI. 'People got scared and fled towards Koindu. The next day, the Guinean military prevented any return to Yenga.' Although calm has returned, local authorities say the situation on the ground remains unstable. Activists hail Sierra Leone child marriage ban, urge action on FGM The dispute over Yenga dates back to the 1990s, during Sierra Leone's civil war. At the time, the government in Freetown invited Guinean troops to help secure the eastern border. Guinean forces moved into the region but did not fully withdraw after the war ended. Their continued presence has triggered repeated standoffs and failed diplomatic efforts. 'Every time we engage in dialogue at the highest level, they agree to leave,' Sierra Leone's foreign minister, Timothy Kabba, said. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Guinea's junta sets September vote on new constitution after missed deadlineWest Africa bloc meets as military rulers vow to quitGuinea opposition groups challenge military rule after missed deadline
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
New Study Reveals Changing Attitudes to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Among Sudanese Communities in Egypt
Since Sudan's devastating war erupted in April 2023, over a million people have fled to neighbouring Egypt seeking refuge. Both countries have laws banning female genital mutilation (FGM), but despite this, Sudan and Egypt have some of the highest rates of FGM globally. A timely new study, Female Genital Mutilation Amongst Sudanese Migrants in Greater Cairo: Perceptions and Trends, by Equality Now ( and Tadwein for Gender Studies, provides valuable insights into how migration and exposure to new cultural environments and social networks are influencing FGM practices amongst Sudanese families in Egypt. In-depth interviews revealed positive attitudes toward abandoning FGM. Younger, educated individuals and women with personal experiences of FGM harm voiced some of the strongest opposition to continuing the practice, while men often cited FGM's negative impact on marital intimacy as a key reason for discontinuation. However, FGM is viewed by some as a means of maintaining cultural identity and status, and as essential for social acceptance. Many interviewees thought families who embraced FGM in Sudan would likely continue it in Egypt. Dr. Dima Dabbous from Equality Now explains: 'Our study reveals complex and diverse ways Sudanese migrants in Egypt are upholding, modifying, or rejecting deep-rooted cultural practices like FGM. Migration brings both challenges and opportunities for abandonment, and understanding how communities perceive and respond to their new situation is crucial for designing and implementing effective, culturally sensitive, and context-specific interventions.' FGM in Sudan and Egypt FGM is internationally recognized as a serious human rights violation involving the partial or complete removal of, or injury to, external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Found in at least 94 countries ( and impacting over 230 million women and girls ( 144 million in Africa—it has no health benefits and it is deeply rooted in gender discrimination and attempts to control the bodies and sexuality of women and girls. Data from Sudan's 2014 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, which is the most recent national-level survey available, showed that 86.6% of women aged 15 to 49 had undergone FGM ( dropping to 66.3% for girls from birth to 14. FGM is regarded as a means of upholding family honour and enforcing ideals around purity, modesty, and control over female sexuality. Conducted as a rite of passage into womanhood and a prerequisite for marriage, many families fear that uncut daughters may struggle to find husbands, and pressure is intensified by the stigma surrounding unmarried women and the perceived shame reflected on relatives. Religious misconceptions also play a significant role, with many mistakenly believing that certain types of FGM are a requirement of Islam. In Egypt, approximately 86% of women aged 15 to 49 have undergone FGM ( according to the 2022 Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) Report. Both Egyptian and Sudanese women often feel pressured to conform to traditional practices upheld by families and communities, and without support from husbands or social networks, it can be extremely difficult to resist. Women with higher levels of education and wealth are more likely to reject FGM and refrain from cutting their daughters. A trend toward medicalization has been occurring in Sudan. The shift is even more pronounced in Egypt, where an estimated 74% of FGM procedures are conducted by health practitioners — one of the highest rates globally. Medicalization is wrongly perceived as a safe alternative, but it doesn't eliminate the physical and psychological risks. FGM remains a fundamental breach of human rights, and the involvement of medical professionals does not make the practice safe, ethical, or legal. Egypt has stringent laws to combat FGM, including lengthy prison sentences for parents and those performing FGM, with higher penalties for medical professionals. Escorting a victim to be cut is also subject to criminal sanctions. However, the law is rarely implemented as many still support FGM, and do not want family members prosecuted, meaning cases are not often reported to authorities. Continuation or abandonment of FGM Awareness about laws prohibiting FGM in Sudan and Egypt varied significantly among those interviewed for the study. The assumption that Egypt has strict anti-FGM penalties has fostered a cautious approach, with some fearing legal repercussions, including deportation. Although older generations were generally more informed, they were unable to specify legal penalties. In Sudan, older women are often the primary decision-makers regarding FGM and tend to be supportive of continuing the practice. However, with some older family members remaining in Sudan, this has helped reduce family pressure on Sudanese girls in Egypt to be cut. Most of the study participants described how Egyptians commonly hold negative perceptions about Sudanese migrants and this can make relationships fragile. As a result, interviewees thought many Sudanese families are less likely to seek information about FGM from Egyptian sources, nor ask doctors in Egypt to perform FGM—an avoidance that interviewees suggested could contribute to the abandonment of the practice. Economic hardship and the need to provide basic necessities like housing and food have contributed to FGM's delay or discontinuation. Dr. Amal Fahmy, from Tadwein for Gender Studies, explains: 'What we are seeing is a quiet but powerful transformation away from FGM. Women are leading the way in protecting their daughters, often choosing to prioritize food, shelter, and education over cultural traditions.' However, financial incentives can also perpetuate FGM. Some see it as a way to improve daughters' marriage prospects and secure their economic future, while the need for traditional midwives to earn income poses a risk of FGM being performed. The migration of Sudanese families to Egypt has led to the creation of a close-knit social network nicknamed 'Small Sudan.' While most survey participants spoke against FGM's continuation, some acknowledged there are families who remain deeply attached to customs such as FGM. Older women were particularly sceptical about the law's deterrent effect, believing determined families would covertly circumvent restrictions. Concerns about stigma and suspicions surrounding daughters' sexual behaviour were cited as reasons for maintaining FGM. Some viewed it as a way to control sexual conduct, especially after relocating to Egypt, where they feared their daughters might engage in perceived unacceptable activity if left uncut. Recommendations Key recommendations include expanding awareness amongst Sudanese migrant communities about Egypt's anti-FGM laws and negative legal and health consequences. It is essential to empower parents, particularly mothers, with accurate information and practical tools to resist societal and familial pressures. Engaging trusted figures within the 'Small Sudan' community—such as elders, grandmothers, midwives, and faith leaders—is critical to shifting attitudes. Outreach efforts need to challenge misconceptions that FGM is a religious requirement, and tailored advocacy should promote an understanding of human rights perspectives that address how gender inequalities sustain FGM. Ending FGM among Sudanese migrant families requires a holistic, community-centred approach that addresses both the causes and evolving dynamics of the practice post-migration. Investing in further research—especially longitudinal and community-based studies—can help track shifting attitudes and practices over time and inform more targeted, effective interventions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Equality Now. Notes to editors: For media enquiries, contact: Tara Carey Global Head of Media, Equality Now Tcarey@ T. +44 (0)7971556340 (available on WhatsApp and Signal) About Tadwein for Gender Studies: Tadwein for Gender Studies ( as established in 2016 to spread evidence-based awareness on gender issues, implement projects, formulate policies, and take necessary actions to enhance the status of women in Egyptian society and reduce violence against women and girls in general. For more information, go to and Linkedin at Tadwein ( For more information about Tadwein for Gender Studies ( visit and find us on Facebook at Tadwein ( تدوين ( Instagram at tadwein_gender_studies ( Linkedin at Tadwein for Gender Studies ( About Equality Now: Equality Now ( is an international human rights organization dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of all women and girls worldwide. Its work is organized around four main program areas: Achieving Legal Equality, Ending Sexual Violence, Ending Harmful Practices, and Ending Sexual Exploitation, with a cross-cutting focus on the unique challenges facing adolescent girls. Equality Now combines grassroots activism with legal advocacy at the international, regional, and national levels to achieve systemic change, and collaborates with local partners to ensure governments enact and enforce laws and policies that uphold women's and girls' rights. For more information about Equality Now, visit and find us on Bluesky @ ( on Instagram @ equalitynoworg ( Linkedin at Equality Now MENA&North Africa ( For more information about FGM around the world, please check Equality Now's 2025 report, The Time Is Now: End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, An Urgent Need for a Global Response – Five Year Update ( And to assist media professionals and others with reporting about FGM, please refer to Equality Now's 'Journalists' Handbook on Female Genital Mutilation,' Africa ( and Global ( editions.
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Health
- Zawya
Eritrea: Berik Sub-Zone Declared Free of Female Genital Mutilation
Berik sub-zone in the Central Region was officially declared free of female genital mutilation (FGM) on 30 April during a ceremony held under the theme 'With Coordinated Effort – Avoid Female Genital Mutilation.' Mr. Tesfu Fesehatsion, administrator of the sub-zone, stated that declarations had previously been made at village and area administration levels, and that this milestone marks a sub-zonal-level declaration. Col. Gebrehans Woldegergis, Director General of Social Services in the Central Region, highlighted the serious health consequences of FGM and called for active involvement from all stakeholders to eradicate the practice. He also congratulated the residents of the sub-zone. Mr. Zerit Tewoldebrhan, Managing Director of the region, emphasized that making the declaration is not sufficient on its own and called on residents and institutions to ensure continuous monitoring and support for its sustainability. The event featured a general knowledge competition among students. Prizes were awarded to the winners, and certificates of recognition were presented to villages that declared themselves free of females' genital mutilation. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.
South Wales Guardian
01-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Guardian
Carmarthenshire primary schools trial sustainable dinners
The Future Generations Menu (FGM) pilot, which aims to support health, sustainability, social value, and education, is being trialled at Ysgol Teilo Sant, Ysgol Penrhos, and Llandeilo Primary School. The pilot, which is part of Stop Food Waste Day on April 30, 2025, aims to reduce waste by implementing food waste monitoring systems. These systems will track both avoidable plate waste and unavoidable kitchen waste, providing insights into daily food waste levels in schools, which will help guide future sustainability efforts. The initiative also encourages pupil involvement, allowing them to actively participate in monitoring food waste. The FGM is designed to be more sustainable, featuring locally sourced ingredients from council-owned Bremenda Farm. The planting of fresh produce is calculated to match the amounts needed by the schools, minimising supply chain waste. Specific quantities are delivered to schools weekly, within a day of being harvested. Carmarthenshire County Council's cabinet member responsible for climate change, decarbonisation and sustainability, councillor Aled Vaughan Owen said: "This initiative represents a significant step forward in our efforts to create a more sustainable and environmentally conscious school meal system. "By engaging students in the monitoring process and working closely with Bremenda Farm, we are not only reducing food waste but also teaching the next generation the importance of sustainability." If successful, the council plans to extend the initiative to other schools across the county, including secondary schools, as part of a long-term strategy aimed at significantly reducing food waste countywide.
