#MyVoiceMatters Conference: Strengthening Young Women’s Leadership to end FGM & VAWG

This conference is especially aimed at young BAME women activists and those aiming to become activists.

Why should you attend this event?

Join us at this event if…

You are passionate about women and girl’s rights and want to learn more about advocating, campaigning and/or raising awareness against VAWG and FGM
You are interested in and want to explore new approaches to inter- generational activism and collaboration in tackling VAWG and FGM
You are interested in widening your network of young women leaders and activists
You want to learn new skills around advocacy and campaigning especially regarding digital and social media

Young women are essential in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM) and violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Europe. Through FORWARD’s Youth programme and TuWezeshe Young Women’s Leadership Fellowship we recognise the critical need to equip young women from black and minority ethnic communities with the skills to be effective leaders and advocates in their communities. We also know that we are stronger when we work together, which is why we continue to provide opportunities, like this conference, for young women to network and create positive networks to strengthen their social activism.

Violence against women and girls is a human rights violation, it interrupts our education, our physical, mental and emotional health and also affects our job opportunities and our relationships both with ourselves and others. VAWG happens across communities, countries and continents.

But change is coming and we should all be part of this change.

In 2015 the UK government introduced the Serious Crimes Act which provides stricter legislation around safeguarding and protecting girls at risk of FGM and forced marriage. In the wake of #MeToo, sexual harassment in higher education and the workplace, intimate partner violence, revenge porn and many other issues affecting young women’s safety are coming under greater scrutiny – at last. So we need to be part of this move.

This conference provides an opportunity to network with professionals and activists from the UK and across
Europe who are working to protect women and girls rights, to learn from their approaches, come up with

new strategies and develop a new sisterhood of solidarity. This conference is especially aimed at young women activists and those aiming to become activists.

Download the conference agenda and full information