SAFE (Support Aid FGM EFM) is an EU co-funded project dedicated to tackling Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Early and Forced Marriage (EFM) committed against women and girls. Recognising these as interconnected forms of gender-based violence, SAFE focuses on their prevention and elimination through coordinated, cross-border action. The project has a clear transnational impact and its activities take place directly in six EU Member States, all of which host large diaspora communities, where these harmful practices are prevalent.
Coordinated by TERRE DES FEMMES (Germany), SAFE brings together a strong partnership of experienced organisations, including Akidwa (Ireland), ActionAid (Italy), End FGM EU (Brussels), Equipop (France) and Save a Girl Save a Generation (Spain). Together, they develop, implement and disseminate a new EU-wide intervention chain (EU-IC), building on the achievements of the previous CHAIN / Join our CHAIN model project to strengthen coordinated prevention and support mechanisms across Europe.
SAFE aims to tackle FGM and EFM committed against women and girls through continuous community empowerment, trainings, capacity building of key professionals, education, awareness-raising as well as sensitisation of stakeholders, all promoting a community-based and gender sensitive approach.
Project activities:
Central to SAFE are representatives of affected communities trained as Community Experts (30 in total) with Community Leaders (10 in total) who will sensitise 1,700 community members and train community members to become Community Multipliers (60 in total) and 1,650 key professionals. An online platform for EU-wide capacity building and mutual learning will be developed. SAFE strengthens support measures among key professionals and relevant stakeholders through capacity-building. A quick response to FGM and EFM cases requires a coordinated approach between institutions and stakeholders to provide protection/support for women and girls affected by and/ or at risk of FGM and EFM.
To raise awareness of FGM and EFM and more effectively reach those affected or at risk, SAFE’s approach emphasises the close involvement of affected communities at the local level. It focuses on empowering community multipliers and strengthening the capacities of key actors who can address FGM and EFM from within their own communities.
SAFE also focuses on education for students, young people and learners through workshops and film screenings. Awareness-raising through an established Instagram channel and new film screenings reach even more supporters/activists. Bilateral national (10) and European (5) advocacy meetings and an international conference in Brussels will involve the political level of FGM and EFM, presenting the community's demands and needs.
The partners behind the SAFE project at Rome for the launch
Project objectives:
- Prevention and fight against the two harmful practices of FGM and EFM through awareness-raising, behavior change and community engagement and empowerment, placing a community-based approach at the center to actively involve affected populations.
- Provide protection and support for girls and women affected by and those at risk of FGM/EFM through capacity-building to enable competent and culturally sensitive support and acknowledge the interconnectedness between FGM/EFM.
- Give a voice to community concerns and needs at the political level, putting EU political resolution into practice.
Through this common effort, SAFE focuses on tackling FGM and EFM through community empowerment, education and coordinated action. In other words, SAFE aims to strengthen protection for those affected and build local capacity. By engaging with communities and policymakers, SAFE aims to drive a lasting change in the EU.
Kick-off meeting of TERRE DES FEMMES' Community Experts and Leaders in Berlin