The mission of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) is to empower women and girls through education to help end gender based violence, most especially female genital mutilation (FGM). The organization works through several programs:
Wholesome Organic Relief Program seeks to ameliorate the consequences of female genital mutilation, (FGM) for women and girls who have experienced it. It has the Professional Counseling
- Obstetrics/Gynecology (OB/GYN) Support
- Restorative Surgery Sponsorship
- Physical Therapy
- Monthly Support Group Workshop
- Survivor-only support group
Survivor Resettlement Program provides services that offer resettlement assistance to women and girls who have experienced FGM and/or are at risk of undergoing it. The U.S. Population Reference Bureau reports that more than half a million women and girls residing in the U.S. have either undergone FGM or are at risk of experiencing it.
The components of the Survivor Resettlement program are the following:
- Asylum Assistance
- Employment Assistance
- Permanent Residency Assistance
- Housing Application Assistance
Kids Reach Shield Program was created to educate law enforcement, school nurses and teachers in the United States about the practice of Female genital mutilation (FGM) and its consequences. Additionally, it provides these frontline personnel with resources to support FGM victims through the stages of prevention, protection, and prosecution.
The Components of the Kids Reach Shield Program are the following:
- Education & Information
- Understanding of the Practice
- Cultural Sensitivity
- Resources
Just4You Program is designed to help young women and girls in Africa. This program includes the scholarship fund and sanitary pads distribution. The purpose of this program is to encourage parents to refrain from having their little girls undergo FGM, and to avoid girls staying out of school during their periods, due to lack of sanitary pads. The Lisa C. Bruch Scholarship Fund is especially for girls in Africa who are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation, to help give their parents incentive not to have them mutilated, in exchange for a free education.
The Requirements of Just4You Program are the following:
- Must reside in a West African country that practices FGM
- Must maintain a GPA of no less than 85%
- Must be a primary, middle or secondary school student
- Parents must agree not to have girl student excised
- Student must remain in school and complete each school term
In addition to its programs, GWPF advocates for laws protecting girls against FGM, in the United States, in Africa, and globally.
In 2017 and 2018, GWPF worked with Former Senator Richard Black of Virginia to have the practice of FGM criminalized in the Commonwealth. Virginia’s state law includes Vacation Cutting, including transportation across state lines. In addition, the law allows a survivor of FGM to sue her parents, guardians or anyone who played a role in her excision when she was a child for punitive and compensatory damages, when she attains the age of 18.
In 2019, Utah, Iowa, Idaho, Ohio, Arkansas, and Pennsylvania passed laws in their states to have FGM criminalized. Massachusetts passed their state law in 2020. FGM laws continue to remain pending in Maine, Washington, and Alabama, while Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Mississippi, Indiana, Connecticut have yet to have the practice criminalized.
In July 2019, Virginia passed a statewide law, requiring all public schools in the Commonwealth to include FGM in their Family Life Education curriculum. GWPF was instrumental in working with Former Senator Richard Black in putting forth that Education Bill. Virginia became the first state in the U.S. to pass such law.
GWPF sponsors an annual 5K charity walk to end FGM, which will be held virtually during the pandemic. You can be a participant and/or a sponsor.
For sponsorship opportunities
This year, our event is a 2-day virtual event, and we are in search of in-kind sponsors as well as monetary sponsors. For information on sponsorship, please click “Sponsors” from the Home Page.
Tel: (703) 832-2642
info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org
For volunteer opportunities
We are in search of volunteers to work this 2-day virtual event in social media and other media outlets. If you are interested in participating as a volunteer, please contact us at the phone number below or the email address.
Tel: (703) 832-2642
info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org
