A leading human rights campaigner has been appointed to run a project to stamp out female genital mutilation.
Faith Mwangi-Powell will take over as the global director of The Girl Generation. It comes after the death in October of Efua Dorkenoo, who previously ran the project.
Funded by the Department for International Development, the £6.5 million, five-year scheme will work in 10 African countries, spreading stories of change, supporting media campaigns and organising events.
This week Dr Mwangi-Powell, who is based in Kenya, met UK campaigners at a reception hosted by the Evening Standard in Kensington office.
She said: “I am delighted to bring my leadership skills, advocacy experience and passion to The Girl Generation, which is galvanizing the Africa-led, global movement to end FGM.” Her previous roles include working for the African Palliative Care Association.
Ms Dorkenoo was working to set up The Girl Generation when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Originally from Ghana, she arrived in Britain as a young nurse. Known to colleagues and friends as “Mama Efua”, she went on to wage a 30-year campaign to put an end to the practice.
