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 - Directorate-General for Justice and ConsumersStakeholdersPublic authorities, Police, social workers, Health professionals, TeachersObjective of the projectWe want to provide 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 levelAbstract 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, ItalyThe project is implemented in 4 EU Member States (Germany, Ireland, Italy, Belgium)Implementation Period 01/03/2023 - 28/02/2025BeneficiariesDirect24 Community Trainers trained on FGM/EFM 576 key professionals from the public and private sectors trained on harmful practices and possible actions for prevention and response 48 community leaders (religious/traditional leaders, community elders) sensitized on gender-based violence and FGM/EFM 1740 community members reached through empowerment activities and community events Indirect4000 community members reached by behaviour change activities Project StrategyActivitiesTrainings of Community Trainers Trainings for key professionals Implementation of the intervention chain model in Milan, thanks to a network of public and private stakeholders Adaptation of the IC model in a new city in Italy and Germany, in collaboration with local partners and stakeholders Sensitization of community leaders Community empowerment activities Awareness-raising campaign Development 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 EFM Advocacy meetings and international conference Outputs3 intervention chain models developed 1 European community exchange meetings 1 European community network of all Community Trainers 3 press conferences 3 video tutorials on the intervention chain models developed 3 bilateral advocacy meetings 1 international conference OutcomesMaggior conoscenza delle MGF e dei matrimoni precoci e forzati (MPF) e sull’interconnessione tra le due pratiche Migliore cooperazione interdisciplinare e supporto più efficace offerto a ragazze e donne che hanno subito e/o sono a rischio di subire tali pratiche Cambiamento progressivo dei comportamenti e delle abitudini della comunità praticante e sviluppo di norme sociali contro le MGF e i MPF Il progetto è realizzato principalmente in 4 Paesi europei: Germania, Irlanda, Italia, e Belgio. In Italia, le attività si svolgono principalmente nella città metropolitana di Milano