Programs
PROGRAMS
FGM/C Prevention, Education, Rehabilitation
Talk about the direct resources we will provide for survivors, and provide resources including antibotics etc, emotional therapy, group therapy etc. Talk about how we also offer care for mothers and their children- modeled after challenging heights, we have day programs available, but also have longer term care available with beds and kitchen and etc. the day programs and workshops are availble to anyone, as well as to the longer term people too
Youth Program
Our youth-led prevention program takes a different approach to ending FGM by focusing on the next generation rather than solely on elders or traditional decision-makers. Instead of working only to change the minds of those who currently uphold the practice, this model empowers youth—the future mothers and fathers—to understand and reject FGM. By equipping them with accurate information, leadership opportunities, and access to education, we aim to break the cycle of FGM before it reaches their children.
This program is rooted in a prevention-based model inspired by Jaha Dukureh’s advocacy work in The Gambia, as described in I Will Scream to the World: My Story. My Fight. My Hope for Girls Everywhere. Her belief in empowering young people to lead change guides our approach. Through school-based education and peer-led workshops, we teach students about the medical, psychological, and social consequences of FGM, as well as related issues such as child marriage and gender-based violence.
In my research, I observed a pattern suggesting an intergenerational correlation — daughters were more likely to undergo FGM when their mothers had experienced it, and less likely when their mothers had not. While this is not a direct cause-and-effect relationship, it highlights how family beliefs and experiences can influence the continuation of the practice. Our program seeks to interrupt this pattern by nurturing informed youth who will grow into parents who reject FGM and promote bodily autonomy within their families and communities.
By investing in youth leadership and education, this program builds a foundation for long-term change—empowering young people to shape a future free from FGM, rooted in knowledge, dignity, and choice.
School Program
Drawing inspiration from the advocacy model in The Gambia described by Jaha Dukureh in
I Will Scream to the World: My Story. My Fight. My Hope for Girls Everywhere, our school program in Ethiopia focuses on education, empowerment, and prevention through grassroots engagement. Similar to Dukureh’s outreach efforts, our initiative involves visiting schools across local communities to educate students about female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, gender-based violence (GBV), and the importance of bodily autonomy. We conduct interactive workshops and discussions designed to empower young advocates—both girls and boys—with accurate information about their rights and the long-term physical and psychological consequences of harmful practices.
These young advocates become crucial agents of change within their schools and communities, helping to shift attitudes and foster open dialogue about topics often considered taboo. Our approach also draws from the Gambian model of community-based education, emphasizing the power of youth leadership and peer influence in transforming cultural norms from within. In addition to awareness-building, the program encourages critical thinking, self-confidence, and mutual respect, helping students recognize their own voices as tools for advocacy and change.
Ultimately, this initiative aims to build a generation of informed, empowered young people who can challenge gender inequality and promote healing and justice in their own communities. By combining education with empathy and decolonial feminist values, the program aligns with a broader vision of dismantling systemic violence and supporting culturally grounded, community-led transformation.
24/7 Healing & Safety Hotline
Our Healing & Safety Hotline is a 24/7 confidential service dedicated to protecting and supporting women and girls in moments of crisis. The hotline was created out of the urgent need for an accessible, compassionate response system for those facing immediate threats of violence, forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), or any form of abuse or coercion.
We understand that moments of crisis often come without warning. Whether you need someone to talk to, guidance on what to do next, or immediate physical protection, we are here for you. When you call, you will be connected with a trained on-call therapist who will provide counseling and connect you to any other service you may need.
If you are in danger or at risk of harm, our hotline can coordinate safe transportation to bring you to a secure location at one of our sites.
This hotline is a crisis line, ensuring safety first, which then allows space for healing. Every woman and girl deserves access to compassionate, culturally sensitive, and immediate care. Through this program, we aim to build a bridge between emergency response and long-term healing, providing holistic healing.
CALL THIS NUMBER +251 (123-4567)
My Ideal Partner Workshop
Another key program we will implement is called My Ideal Partner, an interactive and reflective workshop inspired by an exercise I participated in during my time in Ghana at Challenging Heights. In this program, women and girls come together in a safe, supportive space to envision and discuss what qualities make up a healthy and loving partner. Participants are encouraged to reflect on questions such as: What values matter most to me? How do I want to be treated? What does respect look like in a relationship? Through guided dialogue and creative activities, this exercise opens the door to deeper conversations about self-worth, respect, and emotional safety. Facilitators lead discussions that help participants identify red flags, understand the dynamics of healthy versus harmful relationships, and learn to set boundaries rooted in self-respect. The program not only strengthens individual awareness and confidence but also fosters community healing by creating space for women and girls to share their experiences and support one another. Ultimately, My Ideal Partner helps participants build the tools and language needed to envision and pursue relationships that honor their dignity, autonomy, and well-being.
Safe Sex Practices
At Loving Hope, we believe that knowledge is an essential part of healing and self-empowerment. Our Safe Sex Practices and Body Awareness Workshop provides women and girls with the tools to understand, care for, and respect their bodies, whether they have experienced FGM/C or not.
This program creates a safe and welcoming space for open, honest conversations about sexual and reproductive health, taught by trained health educators and trauma-informed facilitators. We focus on helping participants gain accurate, culturally sensitive information about their bodies, relationships, and choices.
Through interactive discussions and visual learning tools, participants explore:
Understanding female anatomy and reproductive health
How FGM/C can affect physical and emotional well-being
The importance of consent, boundaries, and mutual respect in relationships
Safe sex practices and protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Contraceptive options, how they work, how to access them safely, and how to make informed choices
Pregnancy education, including understanding fertility, maternal health, and family planning
Emotional and relational aspects of intimacy, body image, and healing after trauma
Beyond providing information, this workshop encourages women to reclaim agency and confidence in their own bodies. By understanding their anatomy, sexual health, and reproductive choices, participants gain the knowledge needed to make decisions that protect their well-being and future.
At Loving Hope, we approach this education with compassion, cultural awareness, and respect for each participant’s background and beliefs. Our goal is not only to promote physical health but also to restore dignity, self-trust, and autonomy. Every woman deserves to know, understand, and feel safe within her own body.
Financial Literacy Workshop
At Loving Hope, we recognize that breaking the cycle of harmful traditional practices like FGM/C requires addressing root causes of inequality. This is why we are planning to create a Financial Literacy Workshop to foster economic empowerment. This workshop will be a part of our expansion plan in the first 5 years after opening our doors. Our upcoming Financial Literacy & Economic Empowerment Workshop is designed to address one of the root causes of FGM/C: financial insecurity and limited economic opportunity for women.
This expanded program will equip women and girls with practical skills to generate and manage income, fostering independence, stability, and self-determination. Participants will learn core financial concepts such as budgeting, saving, entrepreneurship, and small business development. Through hands-on training and mentorship, women will be guided to explore sustainable income-generating activities that align with their interests and local market needs.
In addition to supporting survivors, this workshop will also reach traditional cutters and community members whose livelihoods depend on the continuation of FGM/C. By providing alternative sources of income and vocational training, Loving Hope aims to offer tangible, dignified economic alternatives that reduce the financial incentive to continue harmful practices. This approach not only empowers individuals but also strengthens families and communities as they move toward change from within.
