The Subdelegate of the Government in Las Palmas, Teresa Mayans, and the manager of Casa África, Ana María Hernández, inaugurated on Wednesday the Conference on the prevention and eradication of female genital mutilation with the title “Understanding to transform”, organized by the Delegation of the Government in the Canary Islands and Casa África, in collaboration with the NGO Save a Girl Save a Generation.
These days, which are held on June 4 and 5 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, are part of the initiatives that the Government Delegation carries out within the framework of the State Pact against Gender Violence and have the participation of the African associative network in the Canary Islands, the third sector and professionals of the Canarian Health Service, the university environment, the media, the judicial system, work and social services and State Security Forces and Corps.
“Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights and violence against women, with health and psychosocial implications: it violates the right of girls and women to integrity and directly affects their physical, sexual, reproductive and psychological health, perpetuating gender inequalities. These days are born with a goal: to move from knowledge to action, from a profoundly human perspective, but also professional and institutional”, said Teresa Mayans during the opening ceremony at the headquarters of the Delegation of the Government of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria where she recalled that, “despite the fact that the penalties have been hardened, in the Canary Islands during 2024 there has been an alarming upturn, with 72 cases detected by the Canarian Health Service in victims who were mutilated in their countries of origin”.
“This phenomenon is no longer a distant thing. Today, with migratory flows, female genital mutilation is no longer confined to certain countries in Africa or the Middle East. It is a global challenge that requires a global and shared response,” added the deputy delegate of the Government in Las Palmas, who has highlighted the efforts of the public authorities to combat this practice: “The current legal reform, with the recent Organic Law 1/2025 of measures on the efficiency of the Public Justice Service, aims to guarantee a more effective and rapid response for victims. The penalties for practising or facilitating female genital mutilation range from six to 12 years in prison, and those responsible may lose the parental authority of the children concerned.”
For her part, the manager of Casa África stressed that “as a result of the collaboration of recent years with the Government Delegation, an institution with which we are united commitment and vision, among many other things, and on this occasion also together with the NGO Save a Girl Save a Generation, we have programmed some days that try to end prejudice and disinformation, train, sensitize and bring together professionals, experts, survivors and those who are interested in understanding and eradicating female genital mutilation”.
Likewise, Ana María Hernández recalled the commitment of Casa África to publicize the fundamental role of African women in their societies, their communities and their economies and making visible the practices and issues that especially affect women and girls in the African continent.
Asha Ismail, director of Save a Girl Save a Generation, a non-governmental organization that fights against female genital mutilation, forced marriage and any form of gender-based violence, also participated in the presentation of the conference, which takes place on Wednesday 4 June at the headquarters of the Government Delegation in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and on Thursday 5 June at Casa África.
Over two days of work, the conference “Understanding to transform” seeks to generate a space for training and collective reflection promoting awareness, prevention and sharing of good practices in the national eremu and Canary Islands.
Thus, through various tables and dynamics, we will address how to act in this practice with respect for human rights, equality, cultural diversity and the active voice of the women affected, presenting proposals and tools. As a result of these days, a series of sector-specific decalogues and short videos aimed at the general public will be produced.