Chat Plus
Project CHAT Plus - Changing Attitude Plus
The CHAT Plus project has the main objective of preventing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)in Europe through the activation of young people mainly belonging to the communities where FGM is still practiced in Europe.
Female genital mutilation is a global concern. New data on the practice shows that are 31 countries where FGM is practiced (UNICEF). Compared to 30 years ago, there has been a general reduction. Nevertheless, progress is not fast enough and not universal to reach Sustainable Development Goal Agenda 2030, target 5.3. FGM has become a European concern.
As recognized in international conventions, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) constitutes a crime and a violation of Human Rights and Children’s Rights as well as a form of gender discrimination, which prevents women and girls to conduct a normal and peaceful life.
FGM comprises all the procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons and does not bear any real benefit to women.
It is estimated that around 600.000 women are living with the consequences of FGM in Europe and that a further 190.000 girls and women are at risk of undergoing the harmful practice in 17 European countries alone2. Moreover, UNHCR estimates that every year for the past five years at least 20.000 women and girls’ asylum seekers coming to Europe might be affected by FGM.
The focus of the CHAT Plus project is the change in behavior on FGM in Europe, with the fundamental help of the young generations. They will be involved in the creation of a Behavioral Communication Campaign at national level in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and The Netherlands.
The intervention aims to:
- Engage young people to become agents of change in eliminating FGM in Europe,
- Change the attitude of the communities and professionals involved,
- Strengthen the response system to prevent FGM and support victims.
The CHAT project includes three main actions:
- Engagement of young people from affected communities;
- Implement a communication campaign aimed at encouraging a change in behavior on FGM;
- A multiagency cooperation to eradicate FGM at local and European level.
Throughout the project, we will produce and disseminate some documents that are part of the communication campaign towards the behavior change as the gender mainstreaming guidelines, a training toolkit, social media videos, flyers, banners and comic stripes.
For more information on the CHAT Plus project and the counterparts from the other countries: Changing Attitude Against FGM (chatagainstfgm.eu)
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