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International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

The number of young women and girls in danger of facing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Kenya is steadily falling as a coalition of government authorities, NGOs and local communities have set up safe houses while attempting to change traditional cultural practices.
of the world's highest prevalence rates of FGM … World Vision experts say the prevalence of FGM in the East African country vary widely … intervention methods to curb the practice of FGM among the most affected communities.

Statement in response to the announcement of new FGM figures in the UK

Aid charity World Vision UK today called for a global political and legal concerted approach at tackling the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), following the latest figures
FGM tends to be a hidden crime that goes … put an end to the deplorable practices of FGM and forced marriages. … to ensure that children are protected from FGM and forced marriage but we need the support

Remembering Mother Teresa: Inspiration as a teenager in Kolkata

On the eve of Mother Teresa’s canonisation, World Vision’s Tracy Shields reflects on how her own experiences in Kolkata and with this amazing lady, helped inspire her to do the work she does today...

World Vision joins new drive to end violence against children

World Vision today joins a new partnership to end violence against children across the world, backed by British Government funding to tackle online sexual exploitation.

The impact of Ebola on change and protection

As an advocate for change in her country, 17-year-old Alice felt the impact of the Ebola crisis twice; not only did it affect her family and peers on a personal level, it also slowed the rate of change and support she could give to vulnerable girls in her community. She describes how upsetting it was to see girls as young as 14 falling pregnant, and how we can still work together to support those in need…
all FGM activities were completely banned by the … there were still a few remote cases of FGM being practiced on girls. My hope is to

Hearing from the Kids Club | Pregnancies and education in the time of Ebola

Together with Annie of Fable and Folk, our Social Media Manager Kate recently had the opportunity to visit our child sponsorship work in Jaiama Bongor, Sierra Leone. Inspired by Alice’s stories of change through Kids’ Clubs, Kate and Annie spoke to the local group in one village to hear how the Ebola crisis has affected their work.

Anti-Corruption summit should go beyond lip service and provide room for civil society to function in the most affected countries

International children’s charity World Vision UK has urged global leaders meeting in London for the 2016 anti-corruption summit to provide room for civilians and aid agencies to function freely in countries most affected by graft and violence.

Saying no

In primary school, Kenyan activist Betty Lolgisoi watched as one by one her friends went through female genital mutilation (FGM). In her village it was something that every girl went through as a rite of passage. However, after attending a World Vision training about the dangers of FGM, Betty’s mum encouraged her to stand up and say no. Despite the stigmatisation Betty and her family experienced, she held fast, and today works with World Vision to encourage other girls to avoid the practice too.
FGM is still practiced as … you must have undergone FGM. Saying no When I was in primary school … my friends went through FGM. My friends thought I was just scared to go

Too young for marriage

14-year-old Virginia knows from personal experience how destructive the practice of early marriage can be. She tells us the story of one of her friends who dropped out of school and fell into early marriage at just 13 years old.Just two weeks following the birth of twins, her husband vanished, leaving her without the income or means to look after them. Virginia tells us her story…

Meeting with Alice and Alfred | FGM and teen pregnancy during Ebola

World Vision's Zena John met with Alice and Alfred during the 2014 London Girls Summit. Alice and Alfred are teenagers from a district in the southern province of Sierra Leone where World Vision has worked for years, and they are passionate about seeing real change in their community.
make the cutting of young girls a crime. FGM is too high risk for it to

Hearing girl’s voices in northern Kenya

As the African continent marked the Day of the African Child last summer, Lucy Murunga was privileged to join thousands of children from northern Kenya in their celebrations.
species. A girl once born is targeted for FGM and immediately

Protecting girls from violence

Violence against women and girls is all too prevalent in the world. It crosses cultures, economic status and ethnicity.

A grandmother's love

World Vision’s Girl's Holistic Development Project has been helping to improve the health and wellbeing of girls in Senegal. Through an education focused on female elders - who are often responsible for carrying out FGM/C, attitudes towards the practice are now changing and new maternal relationships based on trust and guidance are now being developed.

Fight against female genital mutilation an uphill challenge

For girls like 13 year old Naipanoi, the illegal practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting is a constant fear - often leading to early marriages, school dropouts and health risks. As part of Action 2015, World Vision is campaigning to end violence against children in all its forms. Alongside work in the community, World Vision has recently built a rescue centre - offering shelter, temporary accommodation and a chance for girls to continue their education.

How Local Advocacy Can Form A Global Agenda: Reflections From The Girl Summit Youth Delegates

Alice and Alfred flew in from Sierra Leone to take part in the Girl Summit to tackle the issues of FGM and early marriage. One month on from their visit, they both take time to reflect on the change they are helping enable from a local to a global level.
of children go through as they undergo FGM and early marriage for the benefit of their … and relatives. As a victim of FGM … any young girl to go through the process of FGM. It is a decision that has to be made by

Girl Summit 2014: Recap, Reflection & Conclusion

As the Girl Summit draws to a close, our Child Rights Programme Advisor Tracy Shields completes Part II of her summit reflection.
already done in their communities to stop FGM and child marriage. At the very start of … up and say that we are committed to ending FGM and child marriage in a generation. I am

Girl Summit 2014: World Vision leads drive to end FGM and child marriage

Speaking at UK's first Girl Summit, WVUK CEO Justin Byworth shares solutions to end FGM & Early Marriage.
girls from the fear of child marriage and FGM. Speaking at the Girl Summit 2014 in … a strategy vital to ending FGM and early marriage. … was part of his summit pledge. Tackling FGM and forced marriage during and shortly after

Girl Summit: Children Free From Fear of FGM and Early Marriage

Ahead of next week's Girl Summit our Child Rights Programme Advisor, Tracy Shields shares why she's raising not just her voice and our voice, but the voices of the children living in fear of FGM and early marriage.

Charity says UK can learn from success stories in Africa, following today’s launch of Parliamentary FGM report

World Vision UK welcomes today's parliamentary report “Female genital mutilation: the case for a national action plan”.
FGM and … FGM requires close government engagement with … where the rate of FGM has decreased by up to … and practical guidance towards eliminating FGM within a

World Vision UK welcomes first prosecution under the Female Genital Mutilation Act

The Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed that Dr Dhanuson Dharmasena and Hasan Mohamed will appear before magistrates at Westminster Magistrates Court in April. They will be charged relating to a medical procedure performed in a London hospital in 2012.
FGM that had previously been performed on the … allegedly carrying out FGM … landmark development illustrates that FGM is now being taken seriously by the