Linking the prevention of female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage (EFM) in Europe

ended

PROJECT: The CHAIN project aims at strengthening the prevention, protection and support for victims of the two forms of gender-based violence – female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced marriage (EFM) – through capacity-building, community empowerment and awareness-raising. Giving a voice to community concerns and needs at the political level is another objective. The target groups/beneficiaries of the CHAIN project are • Members of practicing communities being trained as Community Trainers; • Community leaders being sensitized on the harmful practices FGM/EFM; • Affected communities and girls at risk of being subjected to FGM/EFM in four European countries through awareness-raising activities & community empowerment; • Key professionals, stakeholders & other institutions involved in FGM/EFM prevention, protection and support for survivors to be educated in trainings and involved in the development of the model intervention chains; • EU perm. Reps, MEPs & other European stakeholders through advocacy and dissemination activities. ACTIVITIES & DELIVERABLES: 4 Intervention Chains (WP2); 4 National Launch Conferences (WP2); 1 Training Manual on EFM (WP3); 32 Community Trainers trained on FGM/EFM (WP3); 768 key professionals trained (WP3); 96 community leaders (religious/traditional leaders, community elders) sensitized on FGM/EFM (WP4); 4000 community members reached by behavior change activities (WP4); 2 European community exchange meetings (WP4); 1 European community network (WP4); 1 awareness-raising campaign adapted in four countries (WP5); 4 press conferences (WP5); 8 press releases (WP5); 4 bilateral advocacy meetings (WP5); 1 international conference (WP5). IMPACT: Short-term: improved knowledge, increased awareness. Medium-term: more effective support, better cooperation, ostracism of FGM and EFM/attitudinal and behavior change. Long-term: decrease in FGM and EFM cases, increased reporting, European network of community activists.