Five years ago in 2014, Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) made the decision to host a 5K Charity walk in Washington, D.C. The purpose was to raise awareness, inform and educate the American public on the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), and its presence in the United States.
After four years of successful walks, GWPF is not taking its supporters and participants for granted. This is the second year the organization has announced registration as early as in the month of May. This October 27th , GWPF will be joined by several of its partner organizations on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard, that the practice of FGM has no place in the United States and the rest of the world.
This year, GWPF will do things a little differently. Since 2015, the organization has given out awards of recognition to deserving women and men for their work against gender based violence, especially FGM on the day of the walk. This year GWPF will host a special Global Woman Award ceremony, on the evening prior to Walk Day. On Friday, October 26th is the Global Woman Awards, and on Saturday, October 27th is the 5th Walk To End FGM. The two-day event is being planned by a special appointed Planning Committee. The award nominees are being decided by the special International Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee comprises of award recipients of previous years.
Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation is encouraging walk participants to form teams and join in the fundraising efforts to support the healing process of FGM survivors, including the restorative surgery. The proceeds from this year’s Walk To End FGM and the Global Woman Awards will help GWPF acquire a center where women, girls and their families can find a place of safety, peace and psychological healing. Just as in previous years, the three teams that raise the most amounts will be presented with first, second and third prizes. This year’s prizes will consist of items made by women in Africa to encourage the women to utilize their talents to make a living as opposed to excising girls as a mean for their livelihood.
Effective today, May 22nd the registration site is live and ready for your registration and the setting up of your teams. You will be given options on the registration site to register for both the 26th and the 27th or only the 26th or only the 27th. You will receive an automatic discount if you register for both days. Also, take advantage of the “early bird special” before it expires. On the day of the walk, participants will begin claiming their t-shirts and giveaway bags at approximately 11:00am. The participants can look forward to 2 full days of excitement and awareness. To be a part of the events, register at www.globalwomanpeacefoundation.org and click on 
.
Here is how you can get involved:
Get Involved and Participate
- Form a team and invite others to join your team and help raise funds
- Join a team that is already formed
- Register as an individual participant
- Register as a virtual participant and help raise funds (if you are unable to attend)
- Sponsor a team or an individual participant or sponsor the event
- Be a Partner Organization with Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation in the Walk To End FGM
- Register as a volunteer
How you can begin if you want to participate:
Want to Participate? Just register and join GWPF! You can now create and manage your own personal page, share your photos, goals and get sponsors. Want to sponsor a participant? Just visit the site for more details. If you have further questions, please contact planning committee at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or visit www.globalwomanpeacefoundation.org.
What pledging means to the Walk mean: If you commit to this event, and pledge to raise money for its success, you are helping to raise money that will be used to help fund the Global Woman Center, including the restorative surgery, counseling for women and girls and the support group workshop. Female genital mutilation is the intentional removal of either all or part of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. GWPF knows that they cannot do this alone. They are seeking partners to join them as they continue to create awareness.
How my sponsors can submit payment: Online contributions can be made by credit card on the participant’s personalized page found on our website. Just make sure to tell your sponsors to select your name from the list of participants on the registration home page.
What happens if I am unable to raise the required funds: Even if you’ve never raised money before, the available materials and strategies will make it easy for you to solicit and collect sponsors from friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and others. Experience has shown that it is not only possible, but enjoyable, to set and reach your goals. Sample letters will be provided on your personal fundraising page center, that explains the programs which the walk-A-thon supports and you will be surprised to see how quickly friends, family, and co-workers will respond to your request to help this much needed cause. Just remember to make it personal as well, as you want them to know that they are sponsoring YOU and YOUR efforts! And, as many companies offer charitable donation matching programs, make sure to ask your sponsors to check with their employers, as it will help you meet your goal ever more quickly.
Refund/Exchange Policy: Yes. If a donation was made accidentally or for the wrong amount, simply make GWPF aware of the issue and they will be happy to make any necessary refunds, changes or corrections. Registration fees are not refundable.
Parking on Walk Day: Parking is available only on the street but it is not guaranteed. Traveling by the local Metro system is highly recommended. The nearest Metro station is the Smithsonian Metro stop, 2 blocks away from the National Sylvan Theater where the walk site is located.
Volunteers Needed: Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation is in search of volunteers for their 5th annual Walk To End FGM in the nation’s capital on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Volunteers’ responsibilities are: Arrive early on October 27th, set-up, on-site registration, T-shirt and bag distribution, oversee onsite donations, coordinate pre-walk program, seat speakers and guests on October 26th at the Global Woman Awards, coordinate photo-ops, etc. All volunteers will have free registration for Walk Day and Global Woman Awards. If you are interested in being a volunteer for the Walk To End FGM and the Global Woman Awards, send an email to the Volunteer Committee at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org and put in the subject line, “Volunteer”.
Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. As such, your donations and registration fees are tax deductible to the maximum extent required by law.
Comments and questions to info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call (703) 818-3787