HEAL-FGM – Empowering Higher Education to Address Female Genital Mutilation in Sudan

Institutionalising the prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within the Sudanese Higher Education landscape.

Context

Despite Sudan’s legal ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the practice remains widespread due to deep-rooted sociocultural norms, weak enforcement, and a lack of structured education on prevention (UNICEF, 2023). HEAL-FGM moves beyond temporary interventions toward a systematic, long-term educational reform, by positioning universities as central actors in advocacy and policy influence, This mission is spearheaded by four prominent Sudanese institutions—Ahfad University for Women (AUW), El Sheikh Abdallah El Badri University (EAEU), Gadarif University (GU), and the University of Gezira (UOFG)—which serve as the operational heart of the project.

At its strategic core, HEAL-FGM adopts the Triple Helix approach, a collaborative framework that bridges the gaps between Academia, Policy, and Society. This model ensures that academic research and specialized training directly inform national policy reforms and grassroots social change.

The project’s implementation is structured around several key pillars. Centrally, the four HEIs will establish HEAL Action Hubs, which function as permanent research and engagement centers. These hubs are supported by a robust Virtual Learning and Collaboration Platform, ensuring that FGM prevention education remains accessible and scalable, even in conflict-affected or remote areas. To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, the project integrates FGM prevention into university curricula and launches the HEAL-FGM Ambassador Programme, equipping students, alumni, and faculty to lead advocacy efforts within their own communities.

The impact of HEAL-FGM extends to a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders. University students—the future leaders in healthcare, law, and gender studies—receive specialized training to handle the medical and psychological complexities of FGM. Concurrently, academic staff benefit from capacity-building workshops and international study visits to EU partners, fostering a mutual exchange of expertise. Beyond the campus, the project engages healthcare professionals, religious leaders, and policymakers, providing them with evidence-based tools to strengthen the legislative and strategic frameworks necessary to protect women and girls.

Aligned with the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) objectives, HEAL-FGM contributes to broader human development goals. By fostering gender equality and social justice, the project does more than address a healthcare crisis; it promotes peace and societal stability. Ultimately, HEAL-FGM transforms Sudanese universities into authoritative leaders in societal change, ensuring that the next generation of professionals is prepared to drive a permanent transition toward a rights-respecting society.

Objectives

Document Best Practices & Design Capacity Building Interventions HEAL-FGM will identify, analyse, and integrate best practices in FGM prevention education and policy engagement, ensuring HEIs adopt effective strategies for systemic change through curriculum development and advocacy.

Strengthen HEIs’ Capacity for Gender-Sensitive Education. The project will equip HEIs with the tools to institutionalize FGM prevention, integrating gender-sensitive curricula, faculty training, and digital learning resources to enhance research, teaching, and policy alignment.

Establish HEAL Action Hubs for Research, Policy Engagement and Stakeholder Engagement. HEAL-FGM will create HEAL Action Hubs to connect universities, policymakers, healthcare providers, and civil society, fostering multi-sector collaboration, research, and nationwide awareness campaigns.

Ensure Sustainability & Policy Influence. A Policy Influence Toolkit, Ambassador Program, and digital resource repository will enable HEIs to sustain FGM prevention efforts, influence policies, and expand educational outreach beyond the project’s duration.

Activities

Curriculum integration in 4 HEIs for sustainable FGM prevention education.

Capacity Building Workshops (1 per HEI) & 2 Study Visits to EU partners for knowledge transfer.

HEAL Action Hubs serving as research and engagement centers at each HEI.

Community of Practice (CoP) for academics, policymakers, NGOs & healthcare professionals.

HEAL-FGM Ambassador Programme training students, alumni & faculty for sustained advocacy.

National Awareness Campaigns & 1 National Conference in Sudan to maximize policy impact.

Resources

Policy Influence Toolkit.

HEAL OERs. A collection of freely accessible learning materials, including textbooks, course materials, lectures, videos, and interactive content, supporting FGM prevention education and gender-sensitive learning methodologies.

VLE and Collaboration Space. A central digital hub designed to support learning, teaching, and professional collaboration in FGM prevention education. The platform will include interactive educational materials, real-time communication tools, assessments, and a resource library.