Four years ago in 2014, Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) made the decision to host a walk-A-thon in Washington, D.C. The purpose was to raise awareness, inform and educate the American public on the practice of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), and its presence in the United States.
After three years of successful walk-A-thons, GWPF is not taking its supporters and participants for granted. This is the first year the organization has announced registration as early as in the month of May. This October 21st , GWPF will be joined by several of its partners on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard that the practice of FGM/C has no place in the United States and the rest of the world.
This year, the pre-walk ceremony will begin at 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time. The 5K walk-A-thon will start at 1:30pm. There will be a Keynote Speaker and two or three FGM/C survivors, who will share their stories with the walkers.
Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation is encouraging 5K walk-A-thon participants to form teams and join in the fundraising efforts to support the restorative surgeries for women who have experienced FGM/C. Just as last year, the three teams that raise the most amounts will be presented with first, second and third prizes. This year’s prizes will be items made by women in West Africa to encourage them not to practice FGM/C.
On the day of the walk, 5K participants will begin claiming their t-shirts and giveaway bags at approximately 11:00am. The participants can look forward to a day of excitement and awareness. To be a part of the day, register at www.globalwomanpeacefoundation.org and scroll down to the pink button, “Register to Walk”.
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 Do I begin if I Want to Participate?
Want to Participate? Just 
and join us! 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 info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or visit www.globalwomanpeacefoundation.org.
What are the Walk Options and Schedules? The walk will take place rain or shine. The ceremony begins at 12:00 noon sharp and the 5K walk-A-thon commences at 1:30pm.
What Does Pledging to the Walk Mean, Exactly? 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 restorative surgery and counseling for women and girls who have experienced FGM/C. 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 Can My Sponsors 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.
What 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.
Are There Other Activities Planned for the Day? GWPF expects to attract close to a thousand participants, family members, friends and supporters from the community, Canada, Europe and other parts of the U.S. In addition to the 5K walk-A-thon, there will be a pre-walk ceremony with brief speeches, awards and prizes.
Should I Walk Alone or as a Team? You may either register or walk as an individual or you may create or join a team and walk with your team.
Is There a 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.
Will There Be Parking Available? 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 4th annual Walk to End FGM in the nation’s capital on Saturday, October 21, 2017. Volunteers’ responsibilities are: Arrive early, set-up, on-site registration, T-shirt and bag distribution, oversee donations, supervision of the tents, coordinate pre-walk ceremony, seat speakers and guests, coordinate photo-ops and pre-walk interviews. All volunteers will have free registration for the walk. If you are interested in being a volunteer for the Walk To End FGM send an email to info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org and put in the subject line, “Volunteer”.
To volunteer, contact us at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call 703-818-3787. and Walk to End FGM.
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.
