The Senior Ambassadors 2025-2027
In 2016, the End FGM EU launched the Ambassadors programme to increase the involvement of affected communities in the Network. As drivers of social change, our Senior Ambassadors are all professionals with direct experience in the field, as well as advocates for the rights of women and girls.
The Senior Ambassadors bring their grassroots expertise with affected communities in their respective countries to the Network. In order to fully support their work, the Network aims to provide them with resources such as training sessions targeted to their needs, as well as spaces to disseminate their knowledge and access more tools for their community engagement.
Like our Youth Ambassadors Programme, the Network strives to make the Senior Ambassadors Programme a mutual learning space while promoting intergenerational exchanges of knowledge. The purpose is to ensure that ways to end FGM are found together, and that actors can join the conversation from all sectors of society.
While their areas of expertise differ, the Senior Ambassadors are connected by two things: years of experience preventing harmful practices, and a commitment to ending FGM at a national and international level. The diversity among their background ensures that their input is intersectional, contextual, and invaluable for End FGM EU.
Ahlam Aziz
Member Organisation: FSAN
Country of Residence: The Netherlands
Pronouns: she/her
She is socially active in the field of combating FGM with Sudanese organisations and the Dutch Medical Council in The Hague.
Deborah Odeworitse Blankson (Oniah)
Member Organisation: ActionAid & AkiDwA
Country of Residence: Ireland
Pronouns: she/her
A lawyer and trauma studies expert creating inclusive, trauma-informed community spaces.
Franz Evariste Kapnang
Member Organisation: Terre des Femmes
Country of Residence: Germany
Pronouns: he/him
He is committed to raising awareness, particularly among men in affected communities, and organises information events and campaigns nationwide.
Fatou Mandiang Diatta
Member Organisation: Terre des Femmes
Country of Residence: Germany
Pronouns: she/her
She is a social worker by profession, an artist and an activist for the protection of children, and she collaborates with Terre des Femmes.
Hellen Namuli
Member Organisation: UNAF
Country of Residence: Spain
Pronouns: she/her
A sexual health mediator working closely with FGM survivors in daily care settings.
Istahil Abdulahi
Member Organisation: FSAN
Country of Residence: The Netherlands
Pronouns: she/her
She is an activist against FGM and she collaborates with FSAN as a key person and trainer.
Rafiu Olayinka Awolola
Member Organisation: Terre des Femmes
Country of Residence: Germany
Pronouns: he/him
He collaborates with Terre des Femmes, working with different community in Germany as mediator and on how men can be useful to end FGM.
Rodrigue Bukungu Nkwayaya
Member Organisation: AkiDwA
Country of Residence: Ireland
Pronouns: he/him
He collaborates with Akidwa as a community trainer and believes that Ambassadors should educate communities about what FGM is, how to prevent it, and how those who are already affected can be helped and supported.
Stella Okungbowa
Member Organisation: ActionAid
Country of Residence: Italy
Pronouns: she/her
A cultural mediator and community trainer with ActionAid with a strong legacy of grassroots activism.
Wedad Almizori
Member Organisation: FSAN
Country of Residence: The Netherlands
Pronouns: she/her
A key figure in her community and at FSAN, where she advocates for Iraqi-Kurdish women and organising community trainings to provide awareness on FGM.
