Myths About FGM, Our Executive Director Bids Farewell, and the Chance to Choose the AHA T-shirt

Dear AHA Foundation Supporter,

Here we are in May with summer almost upon us! Soon school will be ending and I look forward to more opportunities to spend time with my son.

As we approach summer and the end of the school year, now is the time to stand together against female genital mutilation (FGM), as many parents consider taking their daughters back to their home country to undergo this horrific procedure. This month’s newsletter includes “Five Myths About Female Genital Mutilation” and links to various stories from survivors of FGM. Girls who undergo FGM potentially face an adulthood plagued by devastating mental and physical health consequences. Sadly, the practice is intended to do one thing and one thing only – control the sexuality of women and girls by ensuring they remain virgins until they are married.

During a recent survey we shared with many of our committed supporters, several people expressed interest in purchasing AHA Foundation gear to wear. We think it’s a great idea and a fantastic way to raise awareness about the work of the AHA Foundation. So, in this issue of our newsletter you have the opportunity to pick your favorite design for our new t-shirt!

We also have a letter from our Executive Director, who has chosen to step down from the AHA Foundation, with her reflections on her work the past two years. She really has been a tremendous asset to the AHA Foundation and we’ve accomplished a lot under her leadership!

Finally, I was in Australia last week and we include here a link to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s coverage of authors (myself included) in Sydney for the city’s annual writers’ festival. Authors included a British philosopher, Julian Baggini, English poet Kate Tempest, French author and co-founder of Doctors Without Borders, Jean-Christophe Rufin, and British expert on the Middle East Emma Sky. On the panel we discussed free speech, good citizenship, women’s rights and the reformation of Islam.

As always, we’d love to hear from you if you have any questions or feedback. Enjoy!

Sincerely,

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Founder, The AHA Foundation