Application Deadline: December 20th 2019
The African Union Commission, through the Department of Social Affairs, is developing a Continental Initiative aiming at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation in Africa by 2030 – The Saleema Initiative is calling for young people to engage as Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors.
This
Saleema Initiative aims at changing the negative social norms which
Female Genital Mutilation is rooted in, by adopting a holistic approach
that considers this harmful practice a result of a given social,
political, economic and anthropological context. The Commission believes
that it is only through enhancing the cognitive social capital of
communities as a whole, and community members individually, that Female
Genital Mutilation will be abandoned.
The Saleema Initiative’s communication campaign will thus focus on working at grassroots level, engaging communities, young people and women to take an active part in the dialogue that will shape the Saleema Campaign.
The Concept of Saleema
This
approach aims to accelerate actions that ensure every African girl can
grow to maturity in her natural and original form: complete, unharmed, saleema.
It
is based on the premise that FGM is rooted in socio-cultural norms and
contexts and therefore the power to abandon the practice resides with
families and communities. The focus is not on what communities ‘need to
give up’ but rather on “what they stand to gain by changing”. Only
people-driven change can effectively end the practice.
A distinctive feature is the use of strong and positive communication techniques and approaches, affirming important cultural values, while building aspiration for change, and empowering communities to create an environment conducive to a positive decision making process that will lead to a cultural shift regarding this harmful practice.
Requirements:
In order to be one of the 6 future Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors you must be:
- Between 18 and 35 years old
- Female
- Willing to express yourself publically on the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
- Able to send your content on the medium of your choice: video, article, poetry, song, painting, drawing etc
- Able to send your application between by 10th of December 2019 by filling this form
- Willing to travel to represent the Saleema Initiative
- By
sending applications candidates must be aware that they accept the
content to become property of the Saleema Initiative and can be used by
the African Union and its partners in the context of events, promotion
on any media with the assurance that credit will always be given to the
author.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the African Union Commission – Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors