Cover photo: © UNICEF/UN0421362 /Zahara Abdul 

About the course

Welcome to ‘Gender-Transformative Approaches to Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)’, a course in this learning path. FGM, the cutting or removal of female external female genitalia, is an expression of power and control over girls’ and women’s bodies and their sexuality. It is a form of gender-based violence.Yet communities cite numerous reasons for upholding this harmful practice. 



FGM is rooted in unequal power relations between men and women that are embedded in systems; and these systems are sustained through discriminatory gender stereotypes and norms and unequal access to and control over resources. However, the same gender norms that are central to upholding FGM also have a role in eliminating it, so it is important to incorporate gender-transformative approaches at the centre of programme strategies.


This course is available thanks to the partnership of UNICEF and UNFPA. 

A video message from UNICEF Executive Director on the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 2021.


unfpa and unicef logos


Learning objectives

    By the end of this module, you will be able to:

    • Understand gender-transformative programming in the context of eliminating FGM 
    • Develop and apply practical gender-transformative strategies to eliminate FGM
      

    Audience

      This module is applicable to all UN staff and partners and was specifically designed for staff, consultants, and partners working on the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).


    Length

    This course is approximately 30 minutes in length. 


    Methodology


    This course will illustrate the application of gender-transformative approaches to eliminating FGM through case study examples. This course is presented as a set of 'micro-learning' modules. Modules feature a mix of interactive lessons and learning activities, readings, videos, resources and more.  This course includes a final quiz. Score 80 per cent on the final quiz to pass this course. 


    Modules in this course include:

    1. Test your gender-transformation knowledge

    2. FGM: Context

    3. Why FGM persists

    4. Transforming harmful gender norms

    5. Applying gender-transformative approaches

    6. UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation

    7. Partnering with men

    8. Learning assessment

    9. Course evaluation 


    Accessibility note: Videos have closed-captioning and/or a text-based transcript. Click the three vertical buttons in the lower right hand corner of the video player to turn captions on or off.


    Completion status: When you have completed each section of the course, make sure to click the radio button to indicate completion. A green checkmark indicates the item is complete. 

     

     How to mark a lesson complete.pdf


    Structure


    This course is part of the wider learning path and playlist, 'Adolescent Girls' Agency, Safety and Wellbeing'. You will have to complete the first two courses of this learning path – ‘Foundations of Gender-Transformative Approaches’ and ‘Gender-Transformative Approaches to Programming for Adolescent Girls’ – before continuing in this course. When you enrol in the playlist, you are enroled into all four courses. 

    The Adolescent Girls' Agency, Safety and Wellbeing learning path


    Contact details

    For any questions about the course or technical issues, please contact agora@unicef.org