ProjectThe CHAIN projectPreventing and fighting female genital mutilation and early and forced marriage in EuropeViolence against migrant womenWomen’s RightsPartnerTERRE DES FEMMES (Coordinator), Equipop, Save A Girl Save A Generation, End FGM European Network (End FGM EU) DonorEuropean Commission-DG Justice and ConsumersStakeholdersPublic authorities, Police, Social workers, Child protection officers, Antiviolence centers, Migration reception centers Abstract of the projectThe project aims at strengthening the prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Early and Forced Marriage (EFM) through empowerment activities and awareness-raising, fostering behaviour change, providing protection and support for survivors and those at risk of FGM and EFM through competent and culturally-sensitive services and giving voice to community concerns and needs at the political level.Context analysisFemale Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Early and Forced Marriage (EFM) are serious human rights violations committed against girls and women. FGM and EFM represent two forms of gender-based violence that foster gender inequality, control and restrict female sexuality and violate the sexual and reproductive rights of girls and women. FGM is usually practiced on girls between 0 and 15 years whereas EFM mostly affects women and teenage girls. Both practices are deeply rooted in local cultures and traditions particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite the limited availability of data at the European level, it is estimated that there are hundreds of thousands of women and girls who are survivors of FGM and tens of thousands more are at risk of EFM, in particular where there are considerable diaspora and migrant communities.Milano, Metropolitan City of Milan, ItalyBerlin, GermanyMadrid, SpainParis, FranceBruxelles, BelgiumThe project is implemented in 5 EU Member States (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium). In Italy, the activities take place in the city of Milan.Implementation Period 01/09/2020 - 31/08/2022BeneficiariesDirect32 Community Trainers trained on FGM/EFM 768 key professionals from public institutions and third sector trained on these issues and intervention procedures96 community leaders (religious/traditional leaders, community elders) sensitized on gender-based violence and these detrimental practices4000 community members reached by awareness-raising activities IndirectMembers of targeted diaspora and migrant communitiesProject StrategyActivitiesTrainings of Community Trainers Trainings for key professionalsDefinition of standard procedures for prevention and protection (intervention chain) with local actorsSensitization of community leaders Community empowerment activitiesAwareness-raising campaigns Advocacy meetings and international conferences Outputs4 intervention chain models developed to identify and respond to cases of women and girls at risk 1 Training Manual on EFM2 exchange meetings among the European project partners1 European community network of Community Trainers1 awareness-raising campaign adapted in four countries 4 bilateral advocacy meetings at European level1 international conference OutcomesImproved knowledge about FGM and EFM and the interconnection between them Improved interdisciplinary cooperation and more effective support offered to survivors of these proceduresProgressive behaviour change of practicing community and development of social norms against FGM and EFM LinksDo you want to know more projects on women's rights? / View website