Like 95 per cent of women in her Ugandan community, Margaret Chepoteltel underwent female genital mutilation (FGM) as a child, subjecting her to lifelong health problems. Today, she is raising awareness of the dangers of FGM, as part of a UN-backed programme.
The UN and the fight against FGM
The UN says that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected girls and women, resulting in what it calls “a shadow pandemic” disrupting the elimination of all harmful customs, including female genital mutilation.
In 2018, it was estimated by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) that globally 68 million girls were at risk; now the figure stands at 70 million.
Ms. Chepoteltel’s advocacy work in her village is part of the Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) “Make Happiness Not Violence” campaign, which is being supported by the Spotlight Initiative and UN Women.
UN Women supports CDFU as an Implementing Partner to end violence against women and girls in Uganda. Supported campaigns use media and community mobilization approaches, to mobilize individuals, communities and institutions to promote positive change social norms, attitudes and practices and discourage harmful practices.
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