In less than one month, the Justice for Girls Convening & Festival will take place in Kenya, bringing together activists, survivors, policymakers and governments, funders, and leaders committed to ending female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage in this generation. It is a space for bold ideas, shared strategies, and collective action, grounded in lived experience and global collaboration, at a critical moment for the gender justice community.
In the lead-up to the convening, we’ve been speaking with Survivor Expert Leaders from around the world about what this moment means for the movement, what they hope participants will accomplish in Kenya, and the future they’re working to build together.
Below, survivor expert leader Renée Bergstrom reflects on what she hopes this convening will accomplish, why this gathering matters now, and what it means to her to be a survivor expert leader.
About the author: Renee serves on the advisory board for Sahiyo and is a long-time donor towards the organization’s mission to end female genital mutilation/cutting.
Protecting the Next Generation
For Renée, joining the Justice for Girls movement is rooted in a simple goal: ensuring no girl experiences what she did. She also believes survivors should be at the center of leading that change.
“As a survivor of genital mutilation, I want to stop the practice of cutting girls. No little girl from anywhere for any reason should undergo this form of gender violence that robs them of their childhood innocence and sexual pleasure.”
“Survivors have the passion to follow through on the plan. These skilled leaders have experience standing in opposition to FGM/C and have allies on board. By joining forces with those from a variety of countries and organizations, they expand their power and influence.”
Looking Ahead
With survivors at the center, Renee is looking ahead to what lasting progress will require.
“I hope this plan includes education regarding the physical, emotional, relational and spiritual ramifications of the practice. Also, I hope it includes evidence that we are whole women with full lives, not to be pitied, but rather admired and supported in our efforts to protect girls and women from all forms of gender violence.”
Challenging Harmful Narratives
But even the strongest movements face resistance. Ending FGM/C also means confronting the ideas and narratives that continue to sustain it.
“The anti-rights movements are influenced by various religious texts. We can point out the falsehoods in their narratives and stand up for love and compassion that is the basis for all major world religions.”
Healing Together
That work can be demanding, especially for survivors who are confronting deeply rooted beliefs and systems. For Renee, healing is also a big part of the work, not separate from it.
“Survivors experienced trauma that can be triggered unexpectedly. Therefore, having experts available to help if this occurs is essential. The festival will reveal beauty in many forms to lift our spirits and enhance solidarity.”
Learning From One Another
One of the aspects of the convening Renée is most looking forward to is the opportunity to share ideas with fellow advocates. She hopes to bring one lesson from Sahiyo’s work: the power of survivor storytelling.
“Sahiyo’s Voices to End FGM/C video essays are brief dynamic stories composed from survivor perspectives. These stories effectively share the diversity of feelings experienced.”
Sustaining the Movement
The gathering may last only a few days, but for Renée, the work of ending FGM/C extends far beyond the convening itself.
“FGM/C will not stop in September. These organizations are in it for the long-haul, so they need sustained support. We need to keep the energy flowing and the connections intact at this convening in order to continue this meaningful work of ending FGM/C.”
Ultimately, Renée sees this work as contributing to a broader cultural transformation worldwide.
“I believe that patriarchal domination is fading, and that is why the pushback we’re seeing right now is so intense. By revealing the absurdity of cutting genitals and marrying little girls to be raped by older men, we are educating the masses. I foresee a future where power over will be replaced by power with equal human beings.”
