ProjectJoin our CHAINto Prevent and Tackle Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Early and Forced Marriage (EFM) in the European UnionViolence against migrant womenWomen’s RightsPartnerTerre des Femmes, AkiDwa, End FGM EU NetworkDonorEuropean Commission – Citizenship, Equality, Rights and Values programmeStakeholdersPublic authorities, Law enforcement agencies, Social workers, Health professionals, Teachers Objective of the projectWe want to tackle Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage (EFM) committed against women and girls through continuous community empowerment, trainings, capacity building of key professionals as well as sensitisation of relevant stakeholders – all promoting a community-based and gender-sensitive approach.Abstract of the projectThe project aims at strengthening the prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Early and Forced Marriage (EFM) through awareness-raising and behaviour change, providing protection and support for survivors and those at risk of FGM and EFM through competent and culturally-sensitive services and by 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 serious 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. These practices mostly affect girl children. FGM is usually practiced on girls between 0 and 15 years. EFM mostly affects 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 over 600.000 women and girls affected by FGM and tens of thousands who are at risk of EFM, in particular where there are considerable diaspora and migrant communities.GermanyIrelandBelgiumMilano, Metropolitan City of Milan, ItalyRome, ItalyThe project is implemented in 4 EU Member States (Germany, Ireland, Italy, Belgium). In Italy, the main areas of implementation are the cities of Milan and Rome.Implementation Period 01/03/2023 - 28/02/2025BeneficiariesDirect24 Community Trainers trained on FGM/EFM576 key professionals from the public and private sectors trained on harmful practices and possible actions for prevention and response48 community leaders (religious/traditional leaders, community elders) sensitized on gender-based violence and FGM/EFM1740 community members reached through empowerment activities and community eventsIndirect4000 community members reached by behaviour change activitiesProject StrategyActivitiesTrainings of Community TrainersTrainings for key professionalsImplementation of the intervention chain model in Milan, thanks to a network of public and private stakeholdersAdaptation of the IC model in Rome, in collaboration with local partners and stakeholdersSensitization of community leadersCommunity empowerment activitiesAwareness-raising campaignDevelopment of video tutorials to present the intervention chain model aimed at identifying and responding to cases of women and girls at risk or who have been affected by FGM and/or EFMAdvocacy meetings and international conference Outputs3 intervention chain models developed1 European community exchange meetings1 European community network of all Community Trainers3 press conferences3 video tutorials on the intervention chain models developed3 bilateral advocacy meetings OutcomesImproved knowledge about FGM and EFM and their interconnectionImproved interdisciplinary cooperation and more effective support offered to women affected by FGM and EFMBehaviour change of practicing community and development of social norms against FGM and EFM