{"id":164788,"date":"2025-12-01T10:55:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cesie.org\/project\/healfgm\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T11:54:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T10:54:49","slug":"healfgm","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/cesie.org\/en\/project\/healfgm\/","title":{"rendered":"HEAL-FGM \u2013 Empowering Higher Education to Address Female Genital Mutilation in Sudan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Institutionalising the prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) within the Sudanese Higher Education landscape.<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Context<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Despite Sudan\u2019s 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<\/strong>  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\u2014Ahfad University for Women (AUW), El Sheikh Abdallah El Badri University (EAEU), Gadarif University (GU), and the University of Gezira (UOFG)<\/strong>\u2014which serve as the operational heart of the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The project\u2019s implementation is structured around several key pillars. Centrally, the four HEIs will establish HEAL Action Hubs<\/strong>, which function as permanent research and engagement centers. These hubs are supported by a robust Virtual Learning and Collaboration Platform<\/strong>, 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<\/strong>, equipping students, alumni, and faculty to lead advocacy efforts within their own communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impact of HEAL-FGM extends to a diverse ecosystem of stakeholders. University students<\/strong>\u2014the future leaders in healthcare, law, and gender studies\u2014receive specialized training to handle the medical and psychological complexities of FGM. Concurrently, academic staff<\/strong> 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<\/strong>, providing them with evidence-based tools to strengthen the legislative and strategic frameworks necessary to protect women and girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aligned with the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE)<\/strong> 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<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Objectives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n