West African Gender‑Based Violence Campaigns Target FGM and Abuse

In Senegal, Amref Health Africa convened a webinar with field teams, youth leaders, health experts and community actors to share solutions against female genital mutilation (FGM). Project Manager Ernest Mendy highlighted that "FGM constitutes a grave violation of human rights and an extreme form of gender‑based violence, affecting at least 200 million women and girls worldwide," noting that nearly one in five Senegalese women are affected, especially in the South, East and North regions. The programme emphasised the cross‑border nature of the practice, with communities moving to the Gambia, Guinea‑Bissau and Mali, and announced a new trans‑border cooperation mechanism linking the governors of Kolda (Senegal), Bafatá (Guinea‑Bissau) and Djanhouré (Mali) to harmonise awareness messages, strengthen community surveillance and coordinate victim referral. A parallel project, “Devenir,” is being implemented in the Sedhiou region to support survivors.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the Ministry of Women, Family and Child, together with the West African Health Organization (OOSA) and the Man Legal Clinic, hosted a two‑day sensitisation campaign in Zouan‑Hounien. Participants were urged by programme planner Koné Kogochou Camara to "break the silence" and use available support structures. Health providers also discussed obstetric fistula, stressing early pregnancy care and skilled birth attendance as preventive measures.