This July the first Girl Summit was hosted by the UK government and UNICEF to put a focus on the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) and child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) on a domestic and international level. They have formulated a pledge which is open to support by everyone.
Female genital mutilation takes away a girl's right over her own body and causes disempowerment and longlasting pain. It has been estimated that 30 million girls will be at risk to face this crime over the next decade. The Girl Summit has kickstarted a global movement to end FGM and CEFM. Girls who marry and become mothers early, as children even, are at risk of death or lifelong suffering as well as persisting poverty.
The movement aims at preserving girls' childhoods, promoting their education, reducing their exposure to violence and abuse and supporting them to be able to reach their full potential.