Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
Sometimes also known as female circumcision, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) comprises a range of procedures from cutting, removing, or sewing closed all or part of the vulva for non-medical reasons. Critically, FGM/C has no health benefits for those it is performed on. It is nearly always carried out on minors, and can have severe negative consequences on a person’s mental and physical health. For example, FGM/C is often performed in non-sterile environments or with non-sterile or blunt instruments, increasing the chance of serious infection, and sometimes even death. Other harmful effects may include severe bleeding, problems urinating, the development of cysts, sexual problems such as decreased experience of sexual pleasure and difficulty reaching orgasm, severe discomfort or pain during sexual intercourse, as well as complications in childbirth and an increased risk of newborn deaths.
Flower of Participation
The Flower of Participation is a tool developed by CHOICE which uses the metaphor/image of a blooming flower to illustrate meaningful youth participation and the factors that enable it to bloom and flourish. The metaphor can be used to distinguish between different forms of participation, and to determine whether they are meaningful or not. The flower is based on the Ladder of Participation by Roger Hart, however, a ladder implies a hierarchical or evolutionary system whereby the highest level is the ultimate goal. CHOICE decided to instead use a flower which we feel better reflects that there are multiple ways for young people to participate meaningfully, and that the type of participation will depend on various factors. The tool describes the core elements of Meaningful and Inclusive Youth Participation (MIYP) (the roots), the different forms of MIYP ( the leaves and petals of the flow), non meaningful forms of youth participation (the insects) and the preconditions of MIYP (the water and the sun). To view the Flower of Participation and its narrative, click here!