Although big steps were taken to eliminate FGM in Iraqi-Kurdistan, more needs to be done ten years after the law to ban it passed
Suleymaniah February 6th 2021
In 2004, one of our longest running campaigns the “Stop FGM Kurdistan Campaign” was launched , which after much effort with our fellow civil society organizations, finally resulted in Law No.8 from 2011 with the ban of Female Genital Mutilation.
Although we consider this a historical milestone and a huge step forward, ten years later, we still think that more action is needed to implement this law. As long as there is FGM, there will always be ways to fight it, we as Wadi remember this day through our continuous activities of awareness and consistent efforts to bring social and legal knowledge in regards to FGM for everyone. To those who endured the pain of being cut, the physical wounds may heal however the scars remain for a very long time.
There is no doubt and limits to how brave women are. So,we want to encourage those who are affected by FGM or know someone who went through FGM that this is not the end. There are ways to help victims and Wadi is slowly but surely working on its share of this essential matter.
Currently, supported by the Dutch Foreign Ministry, we are conducting a new program reaching out to women who have undergone FGM trying to help them to cope with the consequences.
In 2021, with Coronavirus still being the center of attention, we hope FGM is soon again given more spotlight and attention on international and domestic levels and for the pain and trauma victims go through not to be underestimated.
We also know FGM is widely practised in other countries of our region adn we will continue to co-operate with partners throughout the region.
As Wadi, we will do our best and use our every resources to reduce and hopefully finally eradicate this practice in Iraqi Kurdistan as we did during the past two decades.
Wadi, Iraq Office
Wadi 
