700 civil society organisations & activists signed the joint letter to Generation Equality Action Coalition Leaders
As part of the Global Platform for Action to End FGM/C, Orchid Project joined forces with Girls Not Brides to call on the leaders of the Generation Equality Forum Action Coalition on Gender-based Violence (GBV) to commit to ending the harmful practices of female genital cutting (FGC) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM). Both... Read More
Different evidence, same community: Putting female genital cutting research into practice
Translating research evidence into practice can be a protracted, complicated process. We need sufficient funds to do it effectively, and have buy-in from those implementing the changes; changes that must be seen as acceptable and achievable by our target audiences. Cultural, religious and gender-based sensitivities, such as those we see around female genital cutting (FGC),... Read More
Policy briefing: Impacts of COVID-19 on female genital cutting (FGC)
COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all aspects of our lives and work globally. This policy briefing from Orchid Project highlights the gendered impact and significant challenges to the movement to end female genital cutting (FGC) presented by the global pandemic. It provides findings on COVID-19’s impact on FGC trends, recommendations and mitigating strategies... Read More
Women’s leadership, COVID-19 & female genital cutting
Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception. This is the much quoted phrase from the beloved Ruth Bader Ginsburg; the trailblazing lawyer and justice of the Supreme Court of the United States who sadly passed away this week. She was an icon of women’s... Read More
07 August 2020
Welcoming two new Trustees to Orchid Project’s Board
Here at Orchid Project we’re delighted to announce that two brilliant new Trustees have joined our Board. We officially welcomed Dr Rewan Youssif and Joseph Ssentongo to the Board of Trustees at our July Board meeting. Orchid Project recognises the importance of having a strong, diverse leadership to guide us in achieving our mission to... Read More
Funding announcement: Orchid Project & the Global Resilience Fund
Orchid Project are partnering with the Global Resilience Fund; a partnership between social justice funders committed to resourcing girls’ and young women’s activism through the COVID-19 crisis. We have seen an urgent need to resource grassroots groups, organisations and activists who are continuing to work to end female genital cutting (FGC) throughout the pandemic. As... Read More
Orchid Project response to Human Rights Council resolution on female genital cutting
Orchid Project welcomes the ‘Human Rights Council resolution on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation’. The resolution was adopted last week during the council’s 44th session, which hosted an unprecedented number of co-sponsoring States (100+). This demonstrates broad consensus on the devastating impacts of the practice. The resolution, which was led by Burkina Faso on... Read More
“Don’t touch our genitals”: Ibu Atas on advocating to end female genital cutting in Indonesia
Global estimates show that 49% of girls have undergone female genital cutting in Indonesia. Also referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM) or female circumcision, UNFPA estimates that between 2015 and 2030, 15 million girls will undergo the practice in Indonesia unless progress to end it is accelerated. Globally, we have a target to end... Read More
Orchid Project response to UK DFID & FCO merger
17th June 2020: Response to UK Government announcement of the merging of assets between the Department for International Development and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office On 16th June, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the merging of DFID and the Foreign Office to become a new department – the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. We... Read More
How can we promote community wellbeing during COVID-19? Voices from West Africa
Around the world, the COVID 19 outbreak has significantly impacted the way all of us live, work and interact. For social impact organisations promoting community wellbeing, the crisis has presented challenges that have forced face-to-face activities to halt. This is a necessary step to keep both communities and staff safe. For Tostan, a long-time partner... Read More