Episode 25 - A Conversation on Ending FGM as a form of Gender Based Violence

 On this day, ATHENA Network brings you a powerful new episode of #WhatGirlsWant: A Podcast featuring Ayo Bello, affectionately known as Ayo, a Nigerian feminist and FGM activist. 

• In this episode, we take a deep dive into the realities of FGM exploring:
• Different forms of FGM and the prevalence in Nigeria and beyond
• The devastating impact on the lives of girls and women
• The intersections of FGM with poverty and global warming
• The urgent need for community education
• Barriers created by inaccessible funding
• The glorification of FGM 
• The fight for bodily autonomy
• Policies and interventions necessary to end this harmful practice once and for all.

At ATHENA, we believe that FGM is a violation of women's and girls' human rights, we categorically call it out as one of the widespread and extreme form of gender-based violence. This day and beyond, we should all commit to GBV-free societies!!!!

Join us as we amplify the voices leading the charge against FGM and demand a future where all girls can live free from harm.

Ayo Bello

Ayo is a survivor of FGM and Co-founder of the largest end-FGM movement in the world - The frontline end-FGM movement which operates in 16 countries to support thousands of activists to end FGM. Ayodeji is the Executive Director and Founder of Initiative For Girls' Rights and Health Development, a community-based non-profit headquartered in Osun state, Nigeria focused on weakening harmful social and cultural practices affecting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. Ayo is a staunch anti-FGM Media campaigner with lots of success stories of making the lives of girls and women better. She has progressive leadership experience in grassroots advocacy, campaigning, communications, project management, community mobilization, conflict resolution, and counselling.