1. You are all welcome to another #endcuttinggirls twitter conference.

2a. Our conversation today focuses on The Frown Challenge as a step towards public declaration of FGM/C abandonment #endcuttinggirls

2b. We will attend to your questions starting from 6:15 PM #endcuttinggirls

2c. Permit me to introduce the topic by giving a short description of what FGM/C is all about #endcuttinggirls

  1. Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is erroneously and popularly known as Female Circumcision #endcuttinggirls

4.a According to WHO, FGM/C is the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia… #endcuttinggirls

4b. …or any other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-medical reasons. #endcuttinggirls

  1. For more information on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting please check this Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0-dYD9cYKo&t=76s #endcuttinggirls

6a. FGM/C has no backing in Islam or Christianity #endcuttinggirls

6b. There is no known advantage to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). #endcuttinggirls

6c. The short term consequences includes Severe pain, to severe bleeding and sometimes death. #endcuttinggirls

6d. The long-term effects range from Severe menstrual pain to complications for mother or new-born during delivery #endcuttinggirls

7a. An estimated 19.9 million Nigerian women have undergone FGM/C… #endcuttinggirls

7b …meaning that approximately 20% of the 200 million FGM/C survivors worldwide are Nigerians. #WHO #endcuttinggirls

  1. FGM/C adherents erroneously believe FGM/C is good for girls based on false reasons/myths and misconceptions. #endcuttinggirls
  2. The false reasons given include that FGM/C curbs promiscuity, this is wrong. #endcuttinggirls
  3. The real reasons for this practice are centred around controlling women’s sexuality and reproduction #endcuttinggirls
  4. FGM/C violates the rights of a girl child. It is her right to remain the way God created her. #endcuttinggirls
  5. FGM/C is a social norm. People do it, not because it is right, but because they think that those who matter to them expect them to do it. It is banned in Nigeria #endcuttinggirls
  6. @lady_purity5 will now quickly summarize the effectiveness of Public Declaration in the fight against FGM/C #endcuttinggirls

 

PURITY:

  1. Thank you @gbasibedotcom on the brief description of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) #endcuttinggirls

15 FGM/C is usually transferred from generation to generation as a  tradition and culture #endcuttinggirls

  1. There is a “Culture of Silence” surrounding the practice of FGM/C due to the following reasons…#endcuttinggirls

17a Survivors who face the effects of FGM/C tend to keep silent, due to the sensitivity of the part of the body affected. #endcuttinggirls

17b In some communities, It is an abomination to mention or have any discussion about FGM/C #endcuttinggirls

17c People who should be champions against FGM/C abandonment either do not know about it or think it is no longer practiced #endcuttinggirls

17d Mothers who survived FGM/C without immediate or linked consequence tend to support or encourage the practice #endcuttinggirls

17e parents who had carried out FGM/C on their daughters also tend to encourage the practice #endcuttinggirls

17f Some women do not even know they have been cut or are survivors of FGM/C #endcuttinggirls

  1. The reasons listed in 17(a-f) buttresses the proven fact that Public declaration on FGM/C abandonment is very effective. #endcuttinggirls

19a. a public declaration/affirmation is defined as “formal public ceremonies involving one or more communities-typically villages.. #endcuttinggirls

18b. …but increasingly also districts and ethnic groups-that take part in an event where they manifest..,

18c …through their representatives, the specific commitment to abandon FGM/C” #endcuttinggirls

  1. Public declarations has a multiplier effect as people have a chance to speak out and reach a consensus against FGM/C #endcuttinggirls
  2. People are likely to abandon FGM/C when they expunge the practice openly #endcuttinggirls
  3. There are different levels of public declaration depending on the population size of the group making the declaration. #endcuttinggirls

22a. But generally, FGM/C abandonment public declaration have a high potential of leading to other public declarations #endcuttinggirls

22b. public declaration by religious leaders can lead to followers declaring publicly against FGM/C https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ENTiMkCu4&t=65s #endcuttinggirls

23a. On the 19/06/2017 the Izzi Clan of Ebonyi state, Nigeria publicly declared abandonment of FGM/C #endcuttinggirls

23b. The Izzi Clan Public declaration of FGM/C abandonment is the first of its kind in Nigeria #endcuttinggirls

23c. The Story of the public declaration started when a sec. school girl frowned at FGM/C and ran away to avoid being cut #endcuttinggirls

23d. Check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOf7b4qcc6E&t=320s for how the girl’s informed choice led to her Clan taking a stand against FGM/C #endcuttinggirls

  1. Due to this public declaration, @unicefnigeria has expressed optimism about FGM/C ending in Ebonyi state Nigeria. #endcuttinggirls
  2. Dear all, I will now hand over the time to @ojorojustice for the concluding part of the conference. #endcuttinggirls

 

OJORO

26 Thank you @lady_purity5 @gbasibedotcom for your informative sessions, you guys have made this conversation interesting. #endcuttinggirls

27 Once again the topic is; The “Frown Challenge” as a step towards public declaration of FGM/C abandonment #endcuttinggirls

28 We need aggressive measures that can ascertain that rate at which FGM/C is abandoned is more favoured. #endcuttinggirls

  1. The gulf between the supply and the demand of FGM/C will definitely be widened using the agents of change, the youths. #endcuttinggirls
  2. When we think of Youths as agents of change, we cannot rule out social media as their tool in that regard #endcuttinggirls
  3. Introduction of awareness creation on FGM/C abandonment using the FROWN CHALLENGE is a welcomed idea #endcuttinggirls

32a.The FROWN CHALLENGE aims, in the long run, to encourage all Nigerians home and abroad… #endcuttinggirls

32b. …to volunteer a “frown” against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) on #endcuttinggirls social platforms. #endcuttinggirls

33a. An FGM/C “Frown Volunteer” is someone who understands the harmfulness of FGM/C and… #endcuttinggirls

33b.and is ready to volunteer a camera-captured frown for FGM/C abandonment campaign #endcuttinggirls

  1. #frownchallenge is of 2 types 1. FROWN PHOTO CAMPAIGN (in communities) and 2 FROWN CHALLENGE CONTEST (Internet based)#endcuttinggirls

 

  1. The FROWN photo campaign involves camera-capturing a frown while holding a frown frame with an inscription of #endcuttinggirls #endcuttinggirls
  2. The FROWN PHOTO CAMPAIGN happens daily, at selected areas with captured photographs posted online stating the location #endcuttinggirls

 

 

  1. The FROWN CHALLENGE CONTEST happens from anywhere from around the globe, even from the comfort of the home #endcuttinggirls

 

  1. There are just three steps to the FROWN Challenge Contest and it happens only on last Friday of the month #endcuttinggirls

46 FROWN CHALLENGE posts are made with reference to/or tagging any @endcuttinggirls social media platforms, preferably on Instagram

  1. We will be having another edition of the frown challenge tomorrow; It is an opportunity for you to make your own public declaration against FGM/C
  2. All entries will be reviewed as no one is left out. #endcuttinggirls

49a. The most powerful frowns will be selected to become.. #endcuttinggirls

49b …ambassadors in areas of high prevalence, as these expressions will be placed on Billboards. #endcuttinggirls

  1. We propose many more frown photos from everyone willing to make public declaration on FGM/C abandonment annually #endcuttinggirls
  2. We intend to get more celebrities and other stake holders involved as the campaign progresses #endcuttinggirls
  3. The @endcuttinggirls Instagram account is gradually growing into a large community of committed FGM/C abandonment advocates #endcuttinggirls.
  4. The project FROWN CHALLENGE was unveiled on the PLATFORM OF @meetsmedia (MAY 7TH, 2017)@ Victoria island Lagos. #endcuttinggirls
  5. @funkeakindele was the invited celebrity to power the launch of #frownchallenge @meets media #endcuttinggirls
  6. The host was Lady Ariyike Akinbobola of SpiceTV, with UNICEF fully represented. #endcuttinggirls

56a. Relatedly, The Photocampaign was launched in Lagos with support of LAMATA using the BRT lane. #endcuttinggirls

57b. the FROWN PHOTOCAMPAIGN Teams will tour communities where FGM/C is of high prevalence,. #endcuttinggirls

  1. Intending participants can however post photos and videos online @endcuttinggirls Instagram account from any location. #endcuttinggirls
  2. all Frowns @ FGM/C are useful as all entries/participation are inducing huge online engagements. #endcuttinggirls

60 online engagements by passionate participants of #frownchallenge will ignite other individual/group public declarations #endcuttinggirls

  1. Also whoever agrees to our model photograph is automatically declaring him or herself as an advocate for FGM/C abandonment #endcuttinggirls
  2. We hope that out of 400 frown advocates, we will have at least 10 that can lead to mega-size public declarations in their community #endcuttinggirls

 

  1. for instance, @el_gbagadri, a participant of frown challenge promised to work with her community leader to end FGM/C #endcuttinggirls
  2. In accelerating change, in this regard, all hands must be on deck as every effort counts towards #endcuttinggirls

65 The #endcuttinggirls #frownchallenge needs you to be the one to end FGM/C in your community by participating

66aTheSocial Media Campaign to end FGM was considered inevitable towards the achievement of the strategic goal of the …#endcuttinggirls

66b …UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme on FGM/C abandonment-in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, Target 3. #endcuttinggirls

  1. We must not be tired in the fight against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) #endcuttinggirls
  2. We must end Female Genital Mutilation and other violence against the girl child #endcuttinggirls
  3. As we come to the end of today’s conference, let us remember to participate in the frown challenge tomorrow #endcuttinggirls
  4. Together, we will end Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in this generation. #endcuttinggirls