The 16 Days of Activism Against GBV is an international campaign to combat GBV worldwide. In celebration of this international campaign, Tadwein for Gender Studies launched a campaign #her body is not yours to raise community awareness towards the issue of FGM in Egypt.  In cooperation with (Speak Up), we decided, during the 16 days of activism, to start a campaign #Her_body_not_yours to raise awareness of the crime of female genital mutilation; Because it is one of the worst types of violence that is practised against girls and women, during which part – small or large – of a girl’s body is cut unjustly and without respect for her humanity and freedom, and the worst is that it is done based on the desire of the people who are supposed to protect her – her family -.
Unfortunately, despite the existence of laws criminalizing this practice, Egypt is still one of the highest countries in the world in the rates of female circumcision.
Change and spreading awareness is the responsibility of every individual in society.
Share with us so that we can make real change and save girls before they are exposed to this crime, and help everyone who has already been exposed to them to overcome it.
Female genital mutilation is an old African custom and crime, and it is not imposed in any way. It still exists in 2021!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the “Global 16 Days Campaign against Gender-based Violence;  an annual international campaign starting on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and running until 10 December, Human Rights Day. This year, Tadwein for Gender Studies will launch a campaign to advocate against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Egypt, in collaboration with the feminist organization Speak Up.

Women in Egypt suffer from discrimination and gender inequality in all economic, social, and political aspects. According to the United Nations Organization for Women’s Rights (UN Women), “discrimination against women” is:

As many women in Egypt and all over the world are subjected to medical discrimination, Tadwein for Gender Studies launched a campaign #my pain is real to highlight the suffering of women in accessing health care services that are acceptable and appropriate for their diagnosis and medical condition. Discrimination against women in the medical field is due to the stereotyping of women by health service providers that they pretend to be ill, or are unable to bear the extra effort. As a result, healthcare providers sometimes misdiagnose a medical condition or a disease. 
Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex that its effects or purposes

Recently, a proposal appeared on the scene to amend the articles relating to the criminalization of harassment and transform it from a misdemeanor to a felony. It was approved by the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee in the Parliament, and it included the following amendment
Amending Article 306 bis (a) to stipulate that “a penalty of imprisonment for a period of no less than two years and not exceeding four years and a

Tadwein for Gender Studies in collaboration with Love Matters organized a conference to present the study findings and recommendations. These included the necessity of developing a unified law against violence against women, having special courts to deal with cases about violence against women, and ensuring data confidentiality of victims. Parliamentarian Martha Mahrous, Counselor Mohamed Samir, and representatives of women’s and human rights organizations all attended the conference.

In celebration of the National Day of Combating FGM (June 14th, 2021), the Anti-FGM Task Force has initiated a discussion around the latest amendments to the penal code, which includes Article (242) bis and (242) (a) bis on criminalizing FGM. The discussion revolved around the new amendments, such as: expanding, professional and social responsibility by closing any institutions that conduct FGM on its premises, eliminating the clause on “medical necessity” from the article as an excuse for FGM, refuting any legality added to female circumcision by deleting the reference to Article 61 of the Penal Code, and finally, including penalties for those in charge of advocating and promoting FGM even if it does not result in action.

Endless Pain is a campaign launched by Tadwein for Gender Studies in conjunction with the National Day Against Female Genital Mutilation. In this campaign, stories of women who have undergone female genital mutilation were published.
Female genital mutilation, as defined by the United Nations, is “all procedures that involve the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-medical reasons.” It is a crime against girls and women.

Endless Pain is a campaign launched by Tadwein for Gender Studies in conjunction with the National Day Against Female Genital Mutilation on June 14.

On the 8th of May and during World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Tadwein for Gender Studies launched a campaign entitled “I have my period” to combat the stigma around menstruation. Through this campaign, Tadwein for Gender Studies calls for women to confidently say “I have my period” as there is no need to be ashamed of a natural biological event. The campaign also addresses men so as to also contribute to combating the stigma around menstruation.    
Most women suffer from feelings of stigma and shame when menstruating, and they become more sensitive to their actions and behaviours and always try to hide their occurrence.