b'Soroptimist InternationalReport for the High-Level Political ForumTHE ROAD TO EQUALITY:International Presidents AppealSIsInternationalPresidentsAppealcombineseducation and awareness of critical issues impacting women and girls, includingfemalegenitalmutilation,humantrafficking, domesticviolence,migration,therightsofolderwomen, and child, early and forced marriage. The Appeal supports a seriesofprojectsinlocalcommunities,whichgenerate stories about, and solutions to, the barriers that prevent women and girls achieving their full potential. This information is used to educate, empower and enable, supporting women across the world to become advocates, to create their own projects, and to make the change they want.UPDATE: The Soroptimist Six, Ending FGM Education, campaigns and awareness raising efforts to combat FGM address SDG3 on health, SDG4 on education, SDG5 on gender equality, SDG16 on peace, justice and strong institutions, and SDG17 on partnerships for sustainable development.In 2020, Soroptimist International reported on itsThe BondoSociety in Sierra Leone hasbecome a partnershipwiththeGlobalMediaCampaigntoparticular focus community. An estimated 89% of spread the message about how FGM destroys lives.girls undergo FGM in Bondo ceremonies, which in SIsRoadtoEqualityDirectActionGrantspartdemonstratestheextentofsupportforthe supported six inspirational youth activists, known aspractice. Rugiatu Turay, one of the Soroptimist Six the Soroptimist Six, to develop their own powerfuland a prominent anti-FGM campaigner and former messages that are specific and relevant to the fivegovernmentministeristryingtotargether African countries they live in. Through these grants,campaigning within this community.the Soroptimist Six appeared on the TV, on radio andinprint,toexposetherealitiesofFGM.ByIn a Soroptimist International podcast, which helped empowering these young women and girls in theirraise awareness about anti-FGM activism in Sierra own communities, that real change can bemadeLeone, Rugiatu explained why eradicating FGM is so and FGM can be eradicated. important:FGM is the removal of the clitoris for no medicalreasons.Ithaslifetimeconsequences Duringthepandemic,SierraLeonebecameapsychological,emotionalandsocial.In country of focus in the Road to Equality Appeal, ascommunities,itincreasesandpromoteschild the President of Sierra Leone said that calling for themarriage and teenage pregnancy, and results in girls immediate eradication of FGM would be politicaldroppingoutofschool.Italsoincreasesinfant suicide. While resistance to banning FGM is strong,mortality rate. Ending FGM is important, so girls are there is ongoing campaigning and advocacy to endable to focus on their schooling.Ending FGM means the practice, including from former ministers. Thisteenage pregnancies are reduced, as is the infant suggeststhatbanningFGMmayhaveincreasingmortality rate and poverty. Through education, girls support,butinsteadonemanisplacinghisowncan build self-esteem, and gain courage tospeak political career above the lives and rights of the 3.91aboutissuesconcerningtheircommunitiesand million women and girls of Sierra Leone.country at large. I am passionate to see FGM end for the simple fact that women will live without fear in the bedroom, and in the labour room. 6'