Boys and young men against FGM
Updated September 2026: This article describes Freedom Charity’s Ambassador and Not in My Name awareness work. The World Health Organization’s 2025 estimate is that more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in countries where the practice is concentrated.
FGM has no health benefits and can cause immediate and lifelong harm. Freedom Charity encourages boys and young men to reject FGM, challenge coercion and know where to seek safeguarding help. Awareness work is one part of prevention; responsibility for protecting children remains with adults and statutory services.
Understanding FGM’s Impact
FGM inflicts profound harm and is deeply embedded in tradition. Despite global condemnation, it endures. Freedom Charity, under Aneeta Prem’s leadership, challenges these traditions through education and advocacy.
Empowering Allies: The Ambassador Programme
Freedom’s Ambassador work gives young people a way to talk about FGM and stand against it. The Not in My Name campaign invites boys and young men to reject the practice and encourage others to speak up safely. A pledge is an expression of support, not proof that safeguarding outcomes have changed.
Driving Change Through Education
Age-appropriate education can explain what FGM is, why it is harmful and how a young person can seek help for themselves or someone else. Schools should plan discussions with their safeguarding lead, avoid asking pupils to disclose personal experiences publicly and follow established referral procedures.
Advocacy and Allyship
Young people can be allies without speaking on behalf of survivors. Sharing someone’s personal story or photograph requires appropriate permission and safeguarding consideration.
The “Not in My Name” Campaign: A Declaration of Solidarity
This campaign enables young men and boys to publicly reject FGM, leveraging social media for widespread awareness. It symbolizes a collective stand against this human rights abuse.
Beyond a Slogan: A Unified Movement
The campaign’s badge is a symbol of opposition to FGM, rallying a diverse community against this atrocity. It embodies the hope for eradicating FGM through collective action.
Amplifying Voices for Gender Equality
The Ambassador and Not in My Name activities aim to make it easier to discuss FGM, challenge harmful attitudes and recognise when someone needs help. Reach and participation should not be presented as proof that FGM has declined.
Books and teaching resources
Cut Flowers is a novel about FGM that can support age-appropriate discussion. Freedom’s separate forced-marriage and FGM lessons have received the PSHE Association Quality Mark; the novel itself is not described as accredited.
Joining the Fight
You can donate, explore volunteering or buy Freedom’s books and Red Triangle badge. If someone may be at risk of FGM or forced marriage, use Freedom’s safeguarding help rather than a public campaign comment.
A Call to Action
Find out how boys and young men can take part in Not in My Name, or ask about a school visit. Safeguarding and safe routes to help come first.