Sudan has made important strides to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and while the practice shows signs of decrease among young girls, FGM remains high with 88 per cent of women and girls aged 15-49 who have undergone some form of FGM.

UNFPA works in communities around Sudan to address the harmful practice including in the Blue Nile State. Communities here are particularly vulnerable, such as Town Three in Wad Al-Mahi locality, home to villagers who were displaced decades ago following construction works on the Roseires Dam in Blue Nile. 

UNFPA supports the Saleema Initiative launched in 2009 by the National Council for Child Welfare and UNICEF Sudan. "Saleema" is an Arabic word that means "wholeness," “healthy in body and mind” and it aims to abolish FGM by value-based public awareness campaigns across institutions in Sudan.

Saleema has proved to be a powerful solution to end FGM. Under the initiative, UNFPA and the Y-Peer youth network have established 20 Girls’ Clubs of girl students in local schools who participate in discussions and debates about FGM, and take part in games, sports and drama activities. The girls galvanize action to end FGM for good influencing their peers and their families with help and advocacy from teachers and religious leaders. Parents and children alike are involved in various types of awareness sessions, coffee gatherings and interactive community theater to lift taboos and end the harmful tradition.

The effect is clear in the community. Girls speak up : they do not want to cut their daughters and they actively seek to break the harmful tradition of FGM: 

“I will continue my education, I will not get married until I finish my studies. I will not allow my daughters to be cut.” says Zahraa, 12 years. 

As a result of Saleema, Town Three Wad Al-Mahi has publicly declared abandonment of FGM. Community leaders throughout Blue Nile state have demanded UNFPA to replicate the successful Girls’ Clubs within their communities. 

Many women in the region have changed their minds, abandoned the harmful practice and become champions rallying against FGM:

“I am proud to see that other women now understand the harm this practice causes their daughters. I am happy to see them speaking out against this practice.” says Amna, 63 years.