{"id":11267,"date":"2025-11-11T11:50:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T10:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/st-albans-and-district\/?p=11267"},"modified":"2025-11-13T17:55:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T16:55:16","slug":"otwkickoff25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sigbi.org\/st-albans-and-district\/2025\/otwkickoff25\/","title":{"rendered":"Hoda M. Ali – Powerful Kick-Off for Orange the World Herts 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Hoda<\/a>The \u201cOrange the World Hertfordshire\u201d<\/span> Campaign 2025 led by Soroptimist International St Albans and District had a powerful kick-off on Mon 10 Nov when we heard from the inspirational Hoda M. Ali, Co-founder of The Vavengers \u2013 The Vavengers is a UK-based charity committed to ending Female Genital Mutilation\/Cutting (FGM\/C) and all other forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) https:\/\/thevavengers.co.uk\/<\/a>. Please scroll down for a brief biography and outline of her amazing talk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The event was recorded – so please click here to watch\/listen https:\/\/youtu.be\/U5EZuSdRLQk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

After Soroptimist “Orange the World” Campaign lead Denise Powell welcomed everyone to the event Hoda took her audience through a questionnaire about FGM – you can download it here: Questionnaire about FGM<\/a><\/p>\n

Hoda’s slides are available to download and view as a PDF here: F<\/a>GMC Awareness session 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Hoda<\/a>Hoda M. Ali delivered a comprehensive presentation on female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM\/C),<\/strong> covering its historical origins, global prevalence, and legal context in the UK. Hoda shared her personal experiences as a survivor and discussed the medical aspects, health risks, and cultural factors surrounding FGM\/C, emphasising its status as a form of child abuse and child neglect. The conversation ended with highlighting the importance of education, awareness, and legal action in combating FGM worldwide. Please watch\/listen to the presentation on Youtube or download and go though the slides (links above) – the information is very easy to follow.<\/p>\n

There is also a text summary from the Zoom available to read here: Summary 10 Nov FGM Presentation Hoda M. Ali<\/a><\/p>\n

Everyone who attended was blown away by the warmth and passion of this\u00a0 powerful and pragmatic woman. She is truly amazing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We ran out of time to hear this speech (see below) written by a year 6 boy an hour after Hoda had delivered the FGM lesson in his class:\"\"<\/a>Between Tuesday<\/strong> 25 November and Wednesday 10 December, Soroptimists join the United Nations \u201cOrange The World\u201d campaign \u2013 “16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women”. As a bright and optimistic colour, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls. Click here for more about the 2025 campaign: https:\/\/sigbi.org\/st-albans\/orange25\/<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Please watch this 2 minute “Orange the World”<\/strong> <\/span>video from last year https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=TGCeu7NQCe8<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Speaker Bio<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hoda M. Ali is a campaigner, educator, and advocate dedicated to ending female genital mutilation\/cutting (FGM\/C) and tackling gender-based violence. She first came into the public eye through Channel 4\u2019s BAFTA-nominated documentary The Cruel Cut and has since continued to raise awareness nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n

Hoda has worked in the NHS training medical students on FGM, and for the past seven years she has focused on primary education, delivering pioneering sessions on FGM to children from Years 3 to 6, as well as engaging with parents and school staff. She is also involved in global advocacy, collaborating with communities and policymakers to end harmful practices and promote women\u2019s health and rights.<\/p>\n

Hoda\u2019s work is rooted in her personal journey and her belief in education as a powerful tool for prevention, empowerment, and change.<\/p>\n

Talk Outline<\/strong><\/p>\n

Title: Breaking the Silence: Education and Action to End Gender-Based Violence<\/p>\n

1. Introduction & Personal Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n