In Somalia, nearly 99% of women between the ages of 18 and 49 have undergone female genital mutilation, or FGM, according to the UN.
Now, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is looking for young Somali women to come up with solutions to these harmful practices as part of its EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge, which kicked off on June 9, 2024, the International Business Times reports.
According to UNFPA, the EmpowerHer Innovation Challenge is "a comprehensive platform for women-led innovation and social entrepreneurship, fostering leadership and creativity among young Somali women."
The top 15 applicants will participate in an intensive innovation sprint, refining their ideas and developing robust business plans.
They'll then present their solutions to a panel of judges, who will choose the winning team.
The winning team will receive investment and support from UNFPA, funding, technical assistance, and access to networks, enabling them to implement their solutions.
"By fostering community engagement, promoting education, and advocating for legal reforms, Somalia can work towards ending these harmful traditions and ensuring the rights and well-being of its girls and women," UNFPA states.
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