MENUFIYA, Egypt – In a small village of “Menufiya” - one of Egypt’s governorates - community members used to refuse notions related to reproductive health. They labeled some concepts, such as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), as “western” and “blasphemous” according to Ms. Salma Abdel Moneim, a reproductive health trainer in Menufiya. “The village is very conservative, so it was challenging to earn their trust.” she said.

Through a UNFPA-supported population awareness club, Ms. Abdel Moneim advises young people in her village about crucial yet sensitive issues that span female genital mutilation, child marriage, contraceptive choice and gender equality. Young members of the club are encouraged to talk openly about these often misunderstood issues, using education, music, interactive theatre, sports and art.

To spark a wider discussion and in the hopes of rallying more young people from her village, Ms. Abdel Moneim asked some of her community leaders if they could help. “They are respected and trusted,” she said. “We explained the topics we wanted to discuss and how to tackle the problems women and girls face in our community.”