AYDA Community Advocates Programme for FGM and DASV

Community Advocates – what are they?
‘Community Advocates’ – as the voices of communities affected by FGM speaking out against the practice – have been the driver of change in the FGM campaign. Ayda aims to enable women, men, young people, and religious leaders to actively engage in the campaign and become community advocates, providing them with the skills and confidence to publicly speak out within their communities and among their peers.
Why?
Community Advocates are often able to access informal spaces and social networks and make contact with hard-to-reach groups. They can engage their peers and quickly create trusting relationships. Community Advocates often have a multiplier effect, taking FGM messages back to their communities. Community Advocates also highlight that affected communities have the responsibility and power to create change within their communities. Finally, the process of becoming a community champion is an empowering journey.

AYDA Community Advocates Training

The training programme consists of four full-day sessions, The training will cover;
 FGM and DASV;
 safeguarding;
 monitoring and evaluation;
 communication;
 campaigning and leadership;
 project planning and development.
Comprehensive training is essential to ensure that community Advocates convey accurate information on FGM that adheres to known standards and that the work is of high quality. Community Advocates will be trained on safeguarding and be prepared to report when there is a child protection concern. Community Advocates should to be trained in how to deal with disclosures, how to manage emotions and trauma, and how to discuss the issue sensitively. Community Advocates need to be enabled to signpost, refer and support women to access specialist care not only on FGM/DASV, but on wider issues that may come up. Community Advocates should be trained and have the skills to facilitate conversations that encourage discussion and debate allowing participants to explore the issue of FGM. Clear and considered recruitment processes through interviews and application forms will ensure that community Advocates meet expectations and are able to deliver the work. It is important to recruit a diverse range of individuals who are bilingual, have experience of providing advice and support, have a strong commitment to safeguarding and have proven existing community links and networks. Expectations and standards will be clearly set out for community Advocates at the start of the training. These  expectations will include monitoring and evaluation, role and responsibilities, practical guidance, and administrative duties.