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About Us

The RAG against Female Genital Mutilation is an initiative of the Rotary club Charleroi Val de Sambre

What's a R.A.G.?

A Rotary Action Group or Amicale d’action is an independant international association affiliated to the Rotary International. 
It includes Rotarians, Rotaractors, Peace Graduates and non-Rotarians from all over the world, who have an interest, some experience or expertise in the R.A.G.'s field of action.
The association helps local clubs and districts to set up large-scale projects in a particular area.
 

 

Two main aims of a R.A.G. :

  1. To create a competent structure for a given fight.
  2. To provide guidelines for establishing a similar structure elsewhere in the world.

We all know and participate in R.A.G. fights. without knowing that these fights are in fact. The two most famous examples being the fights against polio and multiple sclerosis...

200 Mio

According to UNICEF, at least 200 million girls and women currently living in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia have undergone some form of genital mutilation: clitoridectomy, excision or infibulation.

The age at which genital mutilation is performed varies. Recent reports indicate that the procedure is performed on girls aged between 0 and 15

Rotary Club partners on several continents

Rotarian and non-Rotarian members, medical experts and volunteers offer their help and expertise.

RaGaFeGem

A Rotary  Action Group

Rotary Cub Charleroi Val de Sambre

At the RAG's initiative, the club supports and guides you in all the local projects you wish to carry out.

Visit the Website : www.rcvds.be

District 2150

Supported by its International Action Committee to facilitate contacts and Grant applications initiated around the world.

Rotary D2150

Rotary International

Supports RAGs around the world:

For more information on Rotary and RAGs, visit the website:

RAG - Rotary

How can we help you ?

Beyond the medical aspect, it is also necessary to combat social and cultural dimensions.
It is important to emphasize the fact that a mutilated woman is often hidden, especially in cases of rape.
She subsequently needs to be reintegrated into her community.
 

Are you a Rotarian?

We can help by supporting you through :

  • Awareness-raising campaigns
  • Organising conferences
  • Local or District projects
  • Creating District or Global Grants

Are you a healthcare professional?

Contact us :

  • To receive informational flyers to distribute to your patients and their families
  • To be put in contact with other like-minded practitioners
  • To be put in contact with victims’ support and aid associations

Are you a field/social actor?

We can help you :

  • Raising awareness among kids in schools

Are you a victim?

If you're looking for help or support, contact us at  contact@ragafegem.org

OUR AMBITIONS

  1. Raise awareness among our Rotary contacts and create new international contacts.
  2. Create contacts with key players and try to help them.
  3. In collaboration with GAMS, set up a clinic in Dakar to reconstruct mutilated women.
  4. Train local health stakeholders in the recognition, management and treatment of female genital mutilation
  5. Provide expertise and assistance to all local clubs that may so request.
  6. Promote the victims' re-integration into society.

Types of FGM

Type I, also called Clitoridectomy: partial or total removal of the clitoris.
Type II, also called excision: partial or total removal of the clitoris and labia minora, with or without excision of the labia majora. The amount of tissue removed varies greatly from community to community.
Type III, also called infibulation: narrowing of the vaginal opening by creating a closure, achieved by cutting and repositioning the labia minora and/or labia majora. Infibulation can be performed with or without removal of the clitoris.
Type IV: all other harmful procedures performed on the female genitalia for non-therapeutic purposes, such as puncture, piercing, incision, scarification and cauterization.

Types I and II are the most common, but the situation varies depending on the country. Type III, infibulation, represents approximately 10% of FGM cases and is found mainly in Somalia, northern Sudan and Djibouti.

The consequences of female genital mutilation

Their effects depend on several factors, such as the type of FGM practiced, the experience of the practitioners, the hygienic conditions in which the procedure is carried out, the resistance and the general state of health of the person who undergoes the procedure.

Complications can occur regardless of the type of FGM, but they are particularly common with infibulation.

Some complications may occur immediately: severe pain, shock, hemorrhage, tetanus or bacterial infection, urinary retention, genital ulceration and damage to adjacent tissues, wound infection, urinary tract infection, fever and sepsis. In cases of severe bleeding or infection, female genital mutilation can lead to death.

Long-term consequences include anemia, the formation of cysts and abscesses, the formation of keloid scars, damage to the urethra leading to urinary incontinence, dyspareunia (painful sexual intercourse), sexual dysfunction, hypersensitivity of the genital area, increased risk of HIV transmission and complications during childbirth, as well as psychological repercussions.

The players

In general, FGM's are carried out by community elders (mainly, but not exclusively, women) appointed to carry out the procedure, or by traditional birth attendants.

In some communities, FGM's may be carried out by healers, male barbers, members of secret societies, herbalists, or sometimes by a female relative.

... and the surroundings

FGM can have lasting impacts on the women and girls who undergo it. The psychological stress felt by little girls who undergo FGM can cause behavioral problems which are closely linked to a loss of trust in those around them.

In the longer term, women can suffer from depression and anxiety.

Sexual dysfunction can also cause conflict within a couple or lead to divorce.

Testimonials

Female genital mutilation is a violation of the fundamental rights of girls and women.

Unicef

In my village, there is a girl younger than me who was not circumcised because I raised the issue with her parents. I told them how painful and traumatized the operation had been and how I had come to no longer trust my own parents. They decided they wanted to spare their daughter this.

A young girl from Ethiopia

‘A pupil was regularly absent from my class. At first I thought it was because she hadn't prepared or studied enough for her class work.

I eventually realised that her periods were so painful that it was impossible for her to come to school.’

A teacher

‘In my village, there's a girl younger than me who hasn't been circumcised, because I raised the issue with her parents. I told them how much the operation had hurt and traumatised me, and how I'd come to no longer trust my own parents. They decided they wanted to spare their daughter that."

A young girl

‘My two sisters, my mother and I went to visit my family back home. I thought we were going on holiday. A little later, we were told that we were going to be infibulated’.

Anonymous text

TEAM

Phot du Président Jean-Claude Derzelle

Jean-Claude Derzelle

President

Cédric Van Eeckout Président du Ragafegem

Cédric Van Eeckhoudt

Vice President & Technical Expert

Grégory Van der Steen Trésorier du Ragafegem

Grégory Van der Steen

Tresorer

Nancy Maréchal Secretary du Ragafegem

Nancy Maréchal

Secretary

Freddy Willem Secretary  du Ragafegem

Freddy Willem

Secretary

Christel Buyens Public relations du Ragafegem
~

Christel Buyens

Public relations

Françoise Jacobs visibility & image du Ragafegem

Françoise Jacobs

Visibility, image

Raphaël Jonard Webmaster du Ragafegem

Raphaël Jonard

Webmaster

Your support is important

If you would like to help us, contribute with your expertise or simply become a donor member, please register using the contact form at the bottom of the page.
We will be in touch with you shortly.
If you would like to sponsor our actions or help us financially, click on the button below.

Frequently Asked Questioins

If you need help, don't hesitate to contact RAGAFEGEM. We are here to provide you with the support you need to overcome this difficult ordeal and to begin the healing process.

Contact

If you would like to get in touch with us, please use the contact form below

Adress

68, rue de l'Eglise
6032 Mont-sur-Marchienne
Belgium

Call us

0475/533.784