Application Deadline: December 20th 2019
The African Union Commission, through the Department of Social Affairs, is developing a Continental Initiative aiming at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation in Africa by 2030 – The Saleema Initiative is calling for young people to engage as Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors.
This Saleema Initiative aims at changing the negative social norms which Female Genital Mutilation is rooted in, by adopting a holistic approach that considers this harmful practice a result of a given social, political, economic and anthropological context. The Commission believes that it is only through enhancing the cognitive social capital of communities as a whole, and community members individually, that Female Genital Mutilation will be abandoned.
The Saleema Initiative’s communication campaign will thus focus on working at grassroots level, engaging communities, young people and women to take an active part in the dialogue that will shape the Saleema Campaign.
The Concept of Saleema
This approach aims to accelerate actions that ensure every African girl can grow to maturity in her natural and original form: complete, unharmed, saleema.
It is based on the premise that FGM is rooted in socio-cultural norms and contexts and therefore the power to abandon the practice resides with families and communities. The focus is not on what communities ‘need to give up’ but rather on “what they stand to gain by changing”. Only people-driven change can effectively end the practice.
A distinctive feature is the use of strong and positive communication techniques and approaches, affirming important cultural values, while building aspiration for change, and empowering communities to create an environment conducive to a positive decision making process that will lead to a cultural shift regarding this harmful practice.
Requirements:
In order to be one of the 6 future Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors you must be:
- Between 18 and 35 years old
- Female
- Willing to express yourself publically on the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
- Able to send your content on the medium of your choice: video, article, poetry, song, painting, drawing etc
- Able to send your application between by 10th of December 2019 by filling this form
- Willing to travel to represent the Saleema Initiative
- By sending applications candidates must be aware that they accept the content to become property of the Saleema Initiative and can be used by the African Union and its partners in the context of events, promotion on any media with the assurance that credit will always be given to the author.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the African Union Commission – Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors
3 comments
I am interested in being Ambassador for this. I have been working on FGM for the past 13 years at the community level. First introduced on the issue while working with Girls Power Initiative Nigeria. I have personal find ways to pass on the message to various communities still practicing FGM in my State.
Though I am above the age range but if there is vacant for consideration, I will really appreciate
Greetings sir.
I’m delighted about this initiative which is in line with my PhD Thesis that investigated impediments against the implementation of the Rights of the Child in Nigeria. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to conduct further research on this matter which I hope the AU Commission can handle. I want to kindly request whether there is vacancy in the Commission to enable me apply. I m currently a lecturer of International Relations at the Nasarawa State University, Nigeria.
Thanks. Dr Philip Ajeh.
Those involved in this female genital mutilation (fgm) practice big time are the mothers, tacitly in some cases by the husbands.
Exercibating this practice is certain men who says, those are the women they would marry.
If we leave all these groups behind and carrying the problems to the innocent children’s that are harassed with this practice, I think, we are not solving the problems.
Let us tackle the groups mentioned to accept and change their ways and the practice would cease.