Help STOP Female Genital Mutilation Petition

Help STOP Female Genital Mutilation


Sign the petition to stop female genital cutting


[link to my.care.org]

**********

Dear Friend,

As I write you today, as many as 6,000 girls in countries across Africa, the Middle East and Asia risk undergoing a painful procedure called female genital cutting.

My name is Dr. Helene D. Gayle, president and CEO of CARE. Because the physical and emotional consequences of female genital cutting are so severe, I'm asking you to take just a few minutes today to help stop this dangerous practice.

First, what is female genital cutting?

The term female genital cutting refers to several different forms of cutting. Infibulation, the most severe, involves the removal of all or part of the external genitalia, leaving only a small opening for urine and menstruation. The cutting usually takes place before the age of 12.

So why does this painful practice continue?

Despite complications that can include severe bleeding, infection, long-term difficulties with intercourse and childbirth, and even death, many communities see FGC as part of their cultural heritage and a valued rite of passage. Both men and women sanction the practice as a way to ensure a girl's virginity before marriage, fulfill a religious obligation and maintain their cultural identity.

How you can help through CARE.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization that places special focus on empowering poor women to fight poverty and improve their lives. Through years of working side by side with communities on agriculture, health and education projects, CARE has built up a foundation of trust that allows us to respectfully open up a community dialogue about abandoning FGC. Our approach includes:

Educating key community leaders, religious leaders and village elders


Starting a community dialogue and holding public discussions on FGC


Supporting individual change in families that abandon the practice

Slowly but surely, we're making progress. We have already seen changes that would have seemed impossible a few years ago. Communities are now having public discussions about alternatives to FGC. Women are taking more active roles in the debate. In some areas, entire villages have abandoned the practice.



Sincerely,

Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH
President and CEO, CARE


***

Sign the petition to stop female genital cutting


[link to my.care.org]


***




Both men and women in communities across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia see FGC as an important part of their cultural heritage and a valued rite of passage. But the practice can cause severe hemorrhaging, infection, long-term difficulties with intercourse and childbirth, and even death.

Working with community leaders, CARE has already made progress in ending female genital cutting. Now we need the help of people like you. By signing this petition today, you'll be raising awareness and taking a stand to stop the painful practice. Fill out the form at right to send your petition today!



Full Petition Text:

I am signing this petition to take a stand against female genital cutting and to help protect the nearly 2 million young girls who are at risk this year alone.

I want to work with CARE to do all we can to save these girls from a lifetime of pain and suffering.


Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]



****


Sign the petition to stop female genital cutting


[link to my.care.org]


****

[link to www.boardwebhost.com]




`