Sudan. Combating female genital mutilation.

A full 87 percent of women and girls there experience serious lifelong health consequences. This high number is part of the reason why female genital mutilation is viewed as a "normal" procedure and, despite being illegal, continues. Changing this perception requires changing the social dialogue and consensus. 

UNICEF and its partners have therefore launched the “Saleema” initiative. “Saleema” means “whole,” and refers to the natural, intact condition of female genitals. The program’s aim is to introduce 160 isolated rural communities to UNICEF’s “Saleema” awareness-raising work. By October 2023, the program had reached 100 communities and approximately 200,000 people through community dialogues. It places special focus on educating young people on the issue. There are now 190 young people empowered to act as advocates against FGM. Another pillar of the program is “Saleema” capacity building in eight health facilities. Six have been reached so far, with over 190 employees trained to advise parents to allow their girls to remain uncut. Twenty law enforcement employees were also empowered to enforce the ban on FGM.