A $15m Lifeline to End Female Genital Mutilation

The launch of the Her Horizon Fund, seeded with a substantial $14 million from the Wallace Global Fund, marks a major breakthrough in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). The new fund aims to pool $100 million from donors to create momentum towards ending FGM within a generation. This goal seems increasingly elusive, but this injection of funding is a much-needed lifeline for frontline activists and survivors working tirelessly to eradicate the practice.

Over 230 million women and girls worldwide have been affected by FGM, with an estimated 44,000 deaths each year in 15 countries. The practice is not only a human rights violation but also a public health emergency, causing severe physical and psychological trauma. Despite decades of progress, funding for initiatives to end FGM has declined significantly, with the largest joint program operated by UNFPA and Unicef seeing a 45% drop in funding last year.

The timing of this new fund couldn’t be more critical. As women’s rights come under increasing attack worldwide, donor funding is dwindling. The Her Horizon Fund focuses on supporting frontline activists and survivors who know their communities best. By empowering these individuals with the resources they need, the fund hopes to create a tipping point in the fight against FGM.

The pushback against progress on FGM reflects a larger pattern of backlash against feminist gains and human rights. Efforts to repeal or challenge laws banning FGM have been seen in countries like the Gambia and Sierra Leone. This new fund must be seen as part of a broader strategy to counter this trend.

Ifrah Ahmed’s experience with the Ifrah Foundation is instructive – even with significant cuts in UN funding, she was able to raise alternative sources of income and continue her work. The Her Horizon Fund aims to reach $100 million, but it’s essential that these resources are disbursed directly to those who need them most.

The impact of the Her Horizon Fund will depend on its ability to support frontline activists effectively. FGM is a deeply entrenched practice, and progress will be slow and fragile. But with adequate funding and support for frontline activists, we may yet see a turning point in the fight against this human rights abuse. The Her Horizon Fund represents a critical inflection point – one that requires careful stewardship to ensure its impact is lasting rather than fleeting.