My name is Samira Farah, I'm 23 years old, and I've been a member of the Elle&Elles network for almost two years.
Let me tell you my colorful story. I discovered the education binomial through an education session organized by UNFPA within my association to encourage young people to commit themselves against harmful practices such as FGM/C and risky behaviors linked to the sexuality of young people and adolescents.
I appreciated this initiative, which is participatory and inclusive, as it enabled me to acquire new skills, in terms of relational skills, through peer education sessions, self-esteem as well as leadership.
In addition, young people and teenagers face many problems, such as a lack of information about these harmful practices, which undermine the physical and psychological health and rights of girls and women who are victims of female genital mutilation.
This is where the network comes in, offering adolescents and young people the opportunity to acquire information and training on sexual and reproductive health issues, with a focus on FGM and GBV.
I'm also a community relay for the surveillance of FGM cases in my neighborhood and the referral of cases of women victims of gender-based violence.
I recently wrote a play about the after-effects of FGM and hope to produce it one day.
Our network aims to empower young people, promoting volunteerism and youth engagement around generational issues like FGM.
I'm not and we're not about to stop any time soon, because "I say NO TO FGM, don't touch my sister".
