Mission

Orchid Project is an International Non-governmental organisation working to end female genital mutilation/cutting. Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful practice involving the full or partial removal, or injury to a girl’s external genitals. On average, girls are subjected to FGM/C before the age of five, although this varies between different communities and can happen at any time from a girl’s birth to her adolescence. Over 230 million girls and women have been impacted by FGM/C and over 4.3 million girls are at risk of undergoing the practice each year. FGM/C is not an obligation of any religion and has no known health benefits. Far from it, the practice can cause long-lasting physical and psychological damage for more than 230 million women and girls who are affected worldwide. In some cases, this can include death. Orchid Project works to end the practice in 3 ways: Undertaking research, generating evidence and curating knowledge to better equip those working to end FGM/C Facilitating capacity strengthening of partners, through learning and knowledge sharing, to improve programme designs and impacts for the movement to end FGM/C Influencing global and regional policies, actions and funding towards ending FGM/C.

Category

Children and Youth

Additional Information

Our cause best suits the category of children and youth, however the practice impacts many elements of individuals lives that undergo the practice. This can be a precursor to child marriage and is a form of gender inequality, it has life long impacts, going on to effect women later in life, in pregnancies, physical long term health conditions as well as causing mental health implications. The practice is often seen to be an issue that exists in Africa, however the practice occurs in every continent other than Antarctica. Recently FGM/C has spilled over into the emergency category, with an attempt to repeal the law criminalising FGM in The Gambia requiring urgent funding to support grassroots organisations, as well as girls being kidnapped in Liberia, girls FGM/C to be carried out. This means that awareness and funding is more important than ever.