Uniting to End FGM/C Across the Americas: A Joint Statement

This February 6th – International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, in recognition of this year’s theme – “Stepping Up the Pace. Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM,” we are delighted to announce the formation of the Americas Alliance to End FGM/C. 

The Americas Alliance will serve as a coalition of organizations, governments, researchers, activists, and survivor advocacy groups, dedicated to ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) across the Americas. Recognizing FGM/C as a severe violation of human rights and a form of gender-based violence (GBV), the Alliance aims to unify efforts to support survivors, enhance prevention strategies, and promote gender equality throughout the region.

FGM/C impacts communities worldwide, including across North and South America, though misconceptions lead to falsely believing the Americas are immune from this form of gender-based violence. The latest data shows us that there may be over 700,000 women and girls across the United States and Canada affected by or at risk of FGM/C. FGM/C also continues to be reported in Colombia, where a bill has recently been introduced to combat the harmful practice. There is also historical evidence of FGM/C being practiced in Mexico, Brazil and Peru which requires further investigation to determine current practice. From survivors living with its physical and psychological consequences to girls at risk, FGM/C transcends borders and cultures, demanding a unified, coordinated, and survivor-centered response.

Recognizing this need, we are proud to support the creation of the Americas Alliance —a collaborative network dedicated to addressing FGM/C through cross-border cooperation, shared knowledge and resources, and survivor-informed approaches. By bringing diverse voices and expertise together, the Americas Alliance aims to build capacity, amplify advocacy, and create lasting change.

Participants: 

The founding organizations of the Americas Alliance include The U.S. End FGM/C Network, the End FGM Canada Network, George Washington University, Equality Now, and Sahiyo U.S. The Americas Alliance will also involve additional diverse groups of stakeholders dedicated to ending FGM/C and supporting survivors across the Americas. The partners whom the Alliance will collaborate and engage with will include:

• Service-providing organizations
  Examples: Grassroots NGOs, community health organizations, and social service providers working directly with FGM/C survivors.
• Government representatives
  Examples: Government and intergovernmental development agencies and departments.
• Researchers
  Examples: Academic institutions, public health researchers, gender studies scholars, and independent experts focused on FGM/C.
• Activists
  Examples: Survivor-led advocacy groups, grassroots organizers, human rights defenders, and gender justice advocates.
• And more
  Examples: International organizations, private sector partners, legal advocates, faith-based organizations.

Our Shared Commitment

As participants of the Americas Alliance, we are dedicated to:

• Enhance data collection and knowledge sharing by establishing a robust framework for collecting and sharing data across countries, improving the accuracy of FGM/C prevalence estimates, and understanding its impact throughout the Americas.
• Develop trauma-informed, culturally sensitive support systems by facilitating the creation of transnational support networks that are responsive to the cultural and holistic health needs of survivors.
• Strengthen prevention strategies and policy frameworks by promoting the exchange of best practices and successful prevention models from diverse contexts within the Americas.

Coordinate consistent, survivor-centered communications by ensuring that messaging and communications around FGM/C align across the region, maintaining accuracy, and respect for the lived experiences of survivors.

If you wish to learn more about the Americas Alliance to End FGM/C, please contact americasalliance@endfgmnetwork.org.