Medias & FGM
Using the Media to End FGM – the example of the Global Media Campaign (GMC) to End FGM
Global Media Campaign to End FGM has been working since 2014, in 9 countries in Africa (Gambia, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Mali, Ethiopia, Guinea, Liberia). Their main goal is to end FGM by relying on local media.
GMC trains activists and field-workers in the use of local media and supports them in their campaigns against FGM. The goal of the trainings, held online or in-country, is to support media campaigns against FGM where influential community members, such as doctors or religious leaders, speak out to condemn the practice and support anti-FGM campaigns.
In particular, GMC provides grants to activists and advocates to enable them to purchase airtime on various media outlets to carry out their campaigns and raise awareness.
Over the years, more than 1,000 activists, religious leaders, politicians and various other trained actors have spoken out against FGM in their local media with a total of more than 2,000 campaigns conducted.
GMC also offers a series of webinars on its website that provide the tools for activists to launch their own campaigns to raise awareness in their communities.
In this video, GMC explains the 5 steps to creating a media campaign.
Using shocking images
One of the approaches supported by GMC is the use of shocking images. In particular, these images can be used by media activists on the ground to reach men with significant influence in the community to gain their support and active participation in ending FGM. Thus, when deemed appropriate, GMC shares such images with political, religious, and other influential leaders. According to activists, showing these images to men can help break the veil of silence on the practice of FGM, in a context where it is often perceived as a “women’s issue.”
Share your story
As mentioned in the article on AIDOS’ work with the media, it is important to allow survivors, activists and field workers to speak out about their experiences with FGM.
GMC highlights first-hand experiences with FGM in the My FGM Story section of its website and allows anyone affected by FGM to share their story (anonymously if desired).
We invite you to visit the Global Media Campaign to end FGM website for more information on their work and the trainings they offer.
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