(I)NTACT Mädchenhilfe e.V.

www.intact-ev.de

More than 200 million girls and women worldwide are affected by female genital mutilation. This practice is rooted in deep-seated traditions, social pressure, and a lack of awareness about its serious health and social consequences. Since 1996, (I)NTACT Mädchenhilfe e.V. has been working to end this human rights violation and to protect girls’ right to bodily integrity and self-determination.

Together with experienced local partner organizations, (I)NTACT carries out comprehensive awareness-raising projects in several West African countries—including Ghana and Burkina Faso. Project staff members come from the affected regions, speak the local languages, and are familiar with the cultural context. Through intensive training, they are empowered to educate people about the health, psychological, and social consequences of female genital mutilation and to initiate processes of change within their communities.

At the heart of this work is directly educating the public: families are visited in person, and village meetings and informational sessions are organized in schools, health clinics, mosques, and churches. Knowledge is conveyed through charts, films, and open dialogue—often the first time those affected have the opportunity to discuss the reasons behind female genital mutilation and its consequences.

A key component of the strategy is the involvement of former female circumcisers. In special seminars, they are educated about the health and social consequences and are supported in permanently abandoning the practice. Many of them subsequently become actively involved in awareness-raising efforts themselves—a strong signal to their communities for change and the protection of girls.

To ensure the sustainability of the projects, local committees are formed in each village to serve as a link between the community and the partner organization. These committees support families with girls of circumcision age and ensure that no new cases occur. They are trained in educational methods and continue the work in the long term—even after the project ends.

Since breaking with a centuries-old tradition can only succeed through a shared consensus, (I)NTACT focuses on providing comprehensive education across entire regions. This way, families can be certain that uncircumcised girls are socially accepted and remain protected from forced circumcision in neighboring villages.

With over three decades of experience, strong local partnerships, and a commitment to continuously adapting its strategies, (I)NTACT has become a reliable partner organization in the fight against female genital mutilation.

Handling donations responsibly and transparently goes without saying. The majority of the funds go directly to project work—including education, training, support for former female circumcision practitioners, and the establishment of local protection structures. This ensures that every contribution reaches where it is most urgently needed: the girls who deserve a life of safety, dignity, and physical integrity.

In 2024, (I)NTACT Mädchenhilfe e.V. allocated 88.9% of its revenue to projects in Africa, including project support; 3.7% was used for educational outreach in Germany; 1.2% for promotional purposes; and 6.2% for administrative tasks (Source: 2024 Financial Report).

For more information about the work, projects, and transparency reports of (I)NTACT Mädchenhilfe e.V., please visit:
www.intact-ev.de