#Hadeel spoke about the Purple Chair series and how Youth activist have been using videos on Youtube to raise awareness on FGM, GBV, access to services and knowing your rights.
Abi and Beth talk about Scarlet Udaan, an online based global youth organisation working to raise awareness around FGM through various projects and campaigns.
@IsmaBlrh
"There's also a form of bias on social media that we cannot ignore, even though the platforms are more accessible to marginalised voices, it's not perfect"
"There's also a question of access: is everyone able to reach the information, does everyone have internet even"
Abi Reynolds
"Social media is opening a door to silenced voices and it's also fostering some form of connection, a connection of humanity around the world. The internet is expanding. There are also people taking this message offline after being informed through these platforms."
Hadeel Elshak
"Online activism and these platforms, such as the #PurpleChair, have forced institutions to recognise that there are change makers within their own communities, that there are powerful voices pushing for progress amongst communities, amongst youth"
On involving men: @IsmaBlrh "There is a video in the #PurpleChair series about involving men in the fight against FGM. This interview of a male activist may inspire more men to get involved"
Abi "Gender Neutral language is important to involve all kinds of people in the fight."
Beth Fotheringham
"Sharing information is essential. I have a younger brother and I know that if he is not aware of something or about an issue, sharing informative content with him will make him feel more motivated to get involved."
Hadeel "It can be overwhelming to get involved as a Youth activist, you can suffer from imposter syndrom, question your legitimacy. But you have to focus on this fire in your belly. You have to be your own cheerleader and get to know yourself and your own voice."
@IsmaBlrh "End FGM EU started involving Youth early on, and the key to make sure that they feel that their voice matters, rather than imposing things on them It is our responsibility to make sure they feel heard and safe."
Abi "It's important to have a focal person when you get involved in an organisation as a young person, to inspire you and as a resource when looking for advice. But you have to be able to decide for yourself and have your own voice. No one should tell you how to get involved."
Such an inspiring and engaging conversation with these four Youth Activists. Thank you Isma, Abi, Hadeel and Beth!
This year, for the #16DaysOfActivism, we are sharing about different (& original) ways to do activism against #GBV every day!
Today, let's talk about a traditional way for women to fight for their rights and ideals, but with a spin! 👇 #orangetheworld
Lysistrata, an anti-war comedy by the Greek playwright Aristophanes, talks about a sex strike 💪
The women in the play, led by Lysistrata, want the Peloponnesian War to end, so they stop having sex with their husbands as a strategy to secure the peace.
And nowadays?
Let's talk about three different sex strikes!
1⃣ Huelga de piernas cruzadas ("The strike of crossed legs"), Pereira (Colombia), September 2006 ▶️ A strike to curb gang violence.
♀️ In Europe, girls & women are constantly exposed to images of what our patriarchal society considers a perfect female body.
This goes beyond thigh gaps or big breasts, and includes standards on how a “desirable” #vagina should look like. (1/7)
To live up to these expectations, some women & girls undergo operations, including of cosmetic genital surgery.
Some examples to achieve this #BarbieLook?
Continue to read our thread! 👇 (2/7)
1⃣ Vaginoplasty➡️an operation that aims to “correct” the vulva’s appearance and makes it "flawless".
2⃣ Labiaplasty➡️an operation to reduce the length of the labias. 2015/2016: In 🇬🇧, more than 200 girls under 18 had labiaplasty. More than 150 were under 15.
(3/7)
This month's theme for our Annual Campaign #endFGMmyths is "In Europe, are women's genitalia treated with respect?".
This week, we decided to dive in history to find out what the past can teach us! Read our thread on “The construct of a virginity imposed on women" 👇
❓ What is virginity? It qualifies people who have not had sexual intercourse. This definition raises questions, as noted by @hanneblank in her book “Virgin: The Untouched History”. ⬇️
✅The truth is that the concept of virginity has always been oriented especially towards women and girls.
👉 A male centred heteronormative perspective has placed the act of penetration (penis+vagina) as the only sexual intercourse considered to assess virginity.
📢On #WorldHumanitarianDay2020, a big thank you to all the #RealLifeHeroes who provide support and care to survivors of FGM around the world and who strive to protect women and girls at risk!👏
We are honoured to have some of these heroes amongst our ranks! Discover more👇 (1/8)
Our Ambassadors always amaze us with their great work! Read what they have been up to during these months ➡️tinyurl.com/y5mrpxs5
You will discover...
👉🏻 Sister Fa's great work in Senegal @TDFeV
👉🏻 @AmiBah5's part in the Access project
👉🏻 & so much more
(2/8)
And let's not forget our Members, that continue their work even during these challenging times! 💪
🤔What is the Beijing Declaration and why is it still relevant today ?
🎉We are celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, an important milestone in the fight for women's rights, scroll through to learn more about it 👇