Hi my name is Diane Walsh and I have something to share with you. 

FGM is Female Genital Mutilation, the intentional removal of either all or part of female external genitalia for non-medical reasons. 

 

It’s a horrible practice which will continue to persist without the spotlight and protest that public awareness can bring. It is truly a brutal crime and it happens, and continues, in the US and worldwide. You can follow me at #AntiFGMGlobal on Twitter to read my FGM-news. Please take a moment today to learn more about this delicate subject. 

 

I am participating in the 2020 #WalktoEndFGM. The walk is organized by the Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation – G.W.P.F - and is the 7th Walk to End Female Genital Mutilation. This year the walk will be a virtual event. As the event will be live-streamed out of Washington DC I will tap in online with all the other participants in the 2020 G.W.P.F Award Programme on Oct 16th at 3 pm ET. You can too! The Virtual-Walk will take place on Oct 17th on 10 am ET and registration is open. 

 

It just takes a nano-second to make that conscious decision to join a movement; a movement that is effective and real; a movement that is credible; and a movement that has been shown to be successful in raising awareness to stop what everybody knows, and can agree, is fundamentally wrong — the cutting and mutilation of any girl’s genitals, whatever dubious reasons are used to justify this violent abuse. 

 

FGM is a despicable scourge, a violent act and violation against girls and women — and in our 21st century we must understand that this practice should long ago have been consigned to history. But, shamefully, FGM continues to be a reality, and that is why we must continue to stand against such brutality. 

 

#WalktoEndFGM is an opportunity to walk a mile, or more if you choose — ‘in someone else’s shoes’ to show your solidarity with the activist-survivors and allies against FGM. 

 

Including this year I will have participated in the #WalktoEndFGM more times than you can count on one hand — and I can tell you sincerely that it is worth the time. It is worth YOUR time. You too can be an allied activist.  Please consider joining me by supporting my fund-raising.

 

Primarily the 2020 Washington DC and New York City Virtual Walk focuses on the U.S.A. and what more needs to be done to prevent FGM from being performed domestically. But critically, as well, G.W.P.F. continues its important international outreach. It brings together women and men from all corners of the globe, united against FGM. 

 

As my charity of choice I’ve seen G.W.P.F. engage activists and their groups around the world with the same important objective — to #EndFGM. Together, we are supporting those who have been affected by FGM and we are reinforcing the laws criminalizing FGM. 

 

By working with us, and community groups and authorities, we strive to raise awareness of the many diverse peoples who are participating in these efforts to rid society of this heinous crime.

 

Some of you reading this may already know me, and to those who are new to #AntiFGMGlobal activism, I say this. Advocacy work can make a difference. I have seen it. Journalism and social media outreach helps the cause to end FGM worldwide. So too can the #WalktoEndFGM, as it strives to complement any and all global efforts to rid the world of FGM.

 

Together, with your support, we can look to grow and expand the world network of anti-FGM activists, linking together international community groups and individuals, both men and women, united to end FGM, globally. 

 

I, as a long-time warrior in this army against FGM, am humbly asking that you seriously consider contributing to the fight to #EndFGM by endorsing and funding my link for G.W.P.F.’s #WalktoEndFGM 2020.

 

Money raised from this event will provide help to our support group workshops, counseling services, restorative surgery, and training and survivor resettlement assistance in the U.S. Internationally, scholarship and partnerships enable G.W.P.F. to educate girls at risk in West Africa. FGM-survivor rehabilitation support in the U.S., including reconstructive surgery, has been a key area for directed funds in past years of this Walk.

 

You can learn more about specific trusted awareness programs of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation by reading their comprehensive website, including fascinating and moving interviews with those who have been helped.

 

This is an organization that I wholly endorse and believe to be the most effective way that I can lend my support. I hope you will join me in doing so. FGM is still being practiced with impunity and we want it stopped. 

 

Here is your opportunity to lend support to this enormous challenge to eradicate FGM.

 

Donate here https://wizathon.com/walk2endfgm/86064

 

Diane’s individual-category fund-raising platform represents the following countries:
Canada, USA, Ireland. Background: if you are interested in reading further, I have developed network ties in the USA, Canada, England, Scotland and Ireland and have collated research on hashtags #AntiFGMGlobal; previously #GAFGM. I often look at and reflect on the 2012 United Nations Resolution against FGM which states that FGM is a crime—a criminal act. This is a support backbone of the work I believe is so important. You can learn more about some of the history I have participated in, terms of advocacy. I am dedicated to the enforcement of laws against FGM, including raising awareness of the reporting channels and tracked information which can match crime information with appropriate authorities. That’s what makes me tick. I provide consulting and writing services in the areas of investigative journalism, research inquiry and deep background services”.   ~ Diane Walsh, MA mediageode AT yahoo DOT COM @dwalshmedia on Twitter 

 

https://wizathon.com/walk2endfgm/86064