Tackling FGM initiative launched
On 24 June 2010, the Tackling Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) special initiative was officially launched at the House of Lords, hosted by Baroness Ruth Rendell, Ambassador to the initiative. Established by Trust for London in partnership with Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Rosa Fund, three independent charitable organisations, the initiative supports community-based, preventative work to safeguard children from the practice of Female Genital Mutilation.
Baroness Ruth Rendell said, 'It's wonderful to know of this FGM initiative. I find it extremely heartening that people are giving up their time and devoting their energy to working against FGM. It's very different now from what it was ten years ago when I first learnt of it and began to combat it. So many organisations, motivated by goodwill and deep sympathy with affected women, are making a difference. Determination of the kind shown by the FGM initiative will eventually have the hoped-for results.'
Options UK have been commissioned to undertake an independent evaluation over the three years. In addition to evaluating the outcomes of the initiative and the individual projects, Options will also be providing technical monitoring and evaluation support and organising 6-monthly learning seminars with the projects to enhance the learning from the work and to share experience. Options will also be training volunteers from the projects to undertake a Peer evaluation. This will provide some baseline information about attitudes and behaviour towards FGM, within the target communities.
60 people attended the launch event which included representatives of the funded groups, government, the police, Safeguarding Children Boards, health practitioners and other organisations active on the issue.
More about the Tackling FGM special initiative