The annual Walk To End FGM is only 94 days away as of today. Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation (GWPF) launched the registration site for its fifth annual Walk to End FGM scheduled for Saturday, October 27th on the Washington National Mall in May of this year. Registration was opened three months ago. You are invited to visit the website at https://www.globalwomanpeacefoundation.org, click on the pink button that says, “Register To Walk” and click on your choice to register as a walker, a volunteer, a sponsor of a walker or a sponsor of the event. Here are ways 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
On Saturday, November 8, 2014, a brisk morning, the “Walk To End FGM” was born on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The members of Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation shivered in the early morning weather but the cold was not all that caused them to shiver; they were equally nervous for the success or failure of their first event. They warmed up as participants queued in to pick up their t-shirts and give-away bags, and their guest speakers arrived. They have continued the tradition in the autumn of every year since that first event five years ago.
Now Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation finds itself in preparation for the fifth Walk To End FGM, with this one projected to be the biggest so far. This October 27th, the organization will be joined by several of its like-minded partners on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard that the practice of FGM has no place in, not only the U.S. but the world. This year, the award ceremony will be held on the evening of October 26th, the Friday prior to the day of the walk.
Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation has encouraged the walk participants to form teams and join in the fundraising efforts to support the restorative surgeries for FGM survivors, and other programs surrounding the healing process that is required in post-FGM years. As in previous years, the three teams that raise the highest amounts will be presented with first, second and third prizes. Participants are encouraged to invite family and friends to support and join their teams. Each year it becomes more competitive. The prizes this year will be donated by a jewelry producer in Thailand, “Norwa Jewelry”. Their work is magnificent, and will add an international twist to this year’s prizes.
This year’s speakers on the 27th are a diverse group of women. The Keynote Speaker is none other than Dr. Azizah Y. al-Hibri, an American Philosopher and Fulbright legal scholar who specializes in Islamic law. The Founder and President of KARAMAH, Dr. al-Hibri has written extensively about Islam and Democracy. Additional speakers are Psychotherapist Joanna Vergoth, who has dedicated the last 15 years to advocacy against FGM, and counseling survivors of FGM; Mrs. Lola Oje, a Nigerian award-winning Architect, who spends her spare time counseling women and girls against sexual and gender-based violence in her native Nigeria; Mariam Bojang, a speaker from the 2015 Walk To End FGM and a survivor-activist against FGM. To read more about this year’s distinguished speakers, visit the Speakers’ Page on the registration site at https://www.wizathon.com/walk2endfgm/?id=3137.
The guests at this year’s event are expected from as far as Egypt, Kenya, the U.K., France, Germany, Senegal, Canada, and from cities all over the United States. You do not want to miss this year’s event, which is expected to be the largest.
The Planning Committee has negotiated a special rate and a block of rooms for overnight accommodations at the Marriott Tysons Corner Hotel at 8028 Leesburg Pike, Tysons Corner, Virginia 22182. Tysons Corner is located in the County of Fairfax in Northern Virginia. The deadline to obtain the special negotiated rate is September 27, 2018. To make your reservation visit the reservation page at Book your group rate for Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation.
The Planning Committee is still in search of volunteers. Volunteers are needed for both days, Friday October 26th and Saturday October 27th. To volunteer, contact the planning committee at info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call 703-818-3787. If you send an email put the word “Volunteer” in the subject line.
As the time progresses, the planning committee will send out weekly updates on weather forecasts, attire and other advisories up to the morning of Walk Day. Global Woman P.E.A.C.E. Foundation looks forward to seeing you on Friday, October 26th and Saturday, October 27th!
Comments and questions to info@globalwomanpeacefoundation.org or call (703) 818-3787
