propose and lead your own project
* Q1: Imagine you are given the opportunity to propose and lead your own project using your skills, knowledge, and passion. Your project can be anything from starting a new company, an innovative project within your current company or team, a community initiative or an NGO, to your own original invention. Please explain (1) What would the project and its objectives and why would you choose it, (2) How would you plan and implement your project, and (3) Who would you involve and work with for help? (500 words)
An initiative aims to change the stance of healthcare workers completely from providing to eliminating Female genital mutilation by adding a unit in the main hospital in a village where the practice is spread this unit aims to:
1-Carry out workshops for healthcare workers to reverse their attitude towards FGM. Most doctors supportive of the practice don't consider it a serious violation of human rights
surrounding healthcare workers with an environment in their workplace resenting FGM will change their attitude 2-Counsel mothers about the physical and psychological danger of the practice and answer their inquiries correctly as many undecided women seek medical opinion when they are in doubt.3- Motivate physicians and the public to report physicians who practice FGM. 4-collaboration between this unit and NGOs, religious institutions (Islamic and Christian).
during my college years I was involved in a student activity fighting FGM, According to the data we collected, Mothers are worried about the dangerous health complications of FGM but are pressurized by the traditions so they seek a doctor to perform it. Although the practice has become illegal in 2008 and rates are declining, there is an increase in medicalization. According to UNFPA, 82% percent of female circumcisions are performed by trained medical personnel. Before the law of complete ban in 2008, a ministerial decree legalized the practice in designated medical facilities, implying that the practice is not harmful if performed by a physician. So this increased medicalization.
the unit is simply a room in the hospital with a data show projector with an engaging presentation. skilled knowledgeable trainers will train doctors through workshops this will decrease the number of doctors supporting and practicing FGM. doctors will also be trained to counsel mothers and correct their misconceptions. informing them about the toll-free child helpline to be involved in reporting doctors who practice FGM the targeted women are those having a girl at or below the age of puberty. a representative of the unit should be present in all departments inviting women to the unit during any hospital visits especially delivery, pre- and post-natal care vaccination campaigns women who refuse to come will be given a leaflet that contains all the info. distributing eye-catching leaflets that raise awareness and have the toll free number in all hospital departments. tracking the project progress and evaluation is very important using surveys and statistics. the hospital administration together with supporting NGOs and national human rights institutions are responsible for financing and funding.
a representative of religion (Islam and Christianity) should be present in the unit to clear any religious misconceptions. Organizing events and seminars to the public in collaboration with the national human rights institutions, NGOs working on FGM to spread awareness and to create a new public opinion criminalizing FGM. Eliminating this practice is a shared community responsibility that everyone should take part in, including but not limited to healthcare workers, religious leaders, influential community members, and role models.
