UNFPA, the National Council for Women (NCW) kicked off a 4-day training workshop on November 29, targeting religious leaders on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of violence against women and girls, in partnership with Care Egypt.

The workshop comes under activities held to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, which start on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and run until December 10, Human Rights Day.

Under the title “Religious leaders’ role in combating violence against girls,” the workshop brought together religious leaders from Upper Egypt, including representatives of the Ministry of Endowment, the Egyptian Family House and the Church.

Religious leaders were oriented with the negative effects of FGM on women’s and girls’ health, the legislation on FGM, reporting mechanisms, as well as communication skills to relay these messages.

UNFPA works with faith-based organizations and engages religious leaders due to the important role they play in raising awareness on violence against women among their communities.