People who see me now as a smiling, confident young lady might be surprised to learn of my journey. My parents arranged for me to be wed when I was just 12-years-old. While I was blessed with two sons, I couldn’t endure the hardship of my marriage, and I felt a lot of bitterness. I lost all of my hopes and dreams, and I had very low esteem.

It is a real privilege to work with women from FGM-practising communities. It is very humbling. Many of the women that I see have gone through so much. Fleeing their homeland, seeing family members killed in front of them, being refugees in a foreign country without status, money, family or friends.

FORWARD is seeking to celebrate individuals and organisations who are bringing about positive change in ending FGM by collecting real-life experiences and personal stories which can inspire, motivate, influence others to drive positive change. We are very keen to hear from you in this study. Please get in touch and share your own experiences, and tell us about other change makers in your networks as well.