IWC donation project 2025

 

Survivors of FGM/C

Perspectives, support, empowerment!

 

***Triger Warning***

The following is about a serious human rights violation – thank you for your openness to deal with this topic

 

Worldwide, 230 million women and girls are affected by Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). The issue seems to be “far away” from us - but according to estimates by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, there are around 80,000 affected womenliving in Germany. Many women, who have undergone genital circumcision as a child, suffer long-term physical problems related to the genital circumcision. The psychological consequences can also be immense.

For many years, the FIM advice center has made it its mission to advise affected women - in a culturally sensitive, low-threshold way and often in the woman's first language. The FIM consultants also support the women in accessing adequate medical care on their own initiative. But there are glaring gaps in care in Germany, particularly because there is a lack of options for surgical genital reconstruction.

 

That's why we support the project initiated by FIM - Frauenrecht ist Menschenrecht/ women’s rights are human rights: FIM has started the development of an offer for the surgical treatment of those affected by FGM/C in Hessen with committed medical cooperation partners, and will continue to do so over the coming period.

Support comes from Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Dan mon O'Dey, a world-renowned expert in the field, who developed a microsurgical procedure to restore female genitalia.

He continues to share his knowledge with the plastic surgeon Dr. med. Stefanie Adili, who has been volunteering at FIM for many years, to improve the long-term availability of care for those affected in Hessen.

 

The operation is a milestone in the care of those affected. The complex procedure makes it possible to restore the sensitivity, shape and function of the genitals. The operation can also resolve the massive health problems caused by genital cutting, such as difficulty urinating, draining menstrual blood, inflammation from fistula tracts and difficult births. Reconstruction can significantly improve the patient's quality of life, giving them a pain-free life and the chance for fulfilling sexuality.

 

The project is supported and made possible by FIM's advisory services - because without good social work support, the administrative hurdles, as well as the internal conflicts on the way to the operation, would not be overcome for the majority of women. The counselors are at their side as trusted contacts: They provide information, accompany the women to appointments, encourage and strengthen the women, help with organizational questions and support them with language and cultural mediation during examination appointments.

 

IWC - fundraising purpose

 

In order to guarantee this very (time-)intensive care, FIM relies on financial support: to cover the additional costs for advice and support, to provide language training and to cover expenses, such as travel costs to examination appointments, special hygiene products or costs associated with further medical training. Last but not least, the funds will be used to purchase an examination table at FIM. This is necessary in order to ensure the low-threshold offer for initial examinations of women, who are specifically interested in the operation in the familiar premises by Dr. Adili.

 

By supporting the project, we want to ensure that many more women regain a large part of their quality of life, through reconstructive surgery - like Fahma.

The Somali woman was circumcised in her country of origin when she was six years old.

Since then she has suffered from massive physical problems. Her search for support ultimately led her to FIM, where she learned about the possibility of surgical reconstruction.

After initial hesitation and a conversation with the Somali-speaking consultant and the sensitive explanation from Dr. med. Stefanie Adili, it became increasingly clear to her what an opportunity it could be: “I suffered all my life before, I was always in pain.” Fahma decided to have the procedure.

The consultant encouraged her in her decision and accompanied her to appointments with Dr. O'Dey and helped with the organizational preparation. Today, two years after the procedure, she is pain-free. Fahma is happy with her decision to have had the operation and proud of having had the courage to do it. She has started school and is coping with everyday life with her daughter - without being restricted by constant pain and by memories of what was done to her.

 

Every donation counts - be part of it!

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Bank account:

 

IWC FRANKFURT

IBAN: DE 82 5001 0060 0058 9876 06

Reason for payment: donation FIM/ name

 

For donations over €300, please send us an email address and we will issue you with a donation receipt. treasurer@iwc-frankfurt.de

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President Sabine Schmitt

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