Welcome to the Resource Bank of What Works to end FGM

We put together this Resource Bank as a practical, open-source collection of tools, grassroots wisdom and useful resource links, co-created with 62 organisations working at the grassroots in Kenya and Tanzania. We designed it to support community-driven/grassroots organisations working in areas where female genital mutilation and other forms of violence against girls and women are still highly prevalent. We sought to strengthen their work through evidence-based solutions and to support funders who want to invest more effectively, equitably and sustainably in locally-led solutions.

The Resource Bank exists because grassroots leaders and their communities already hold the solutions. When we collectively document, share and fund what works, sustainable change can happen more quickly, at a deeper level, and with more integrity.

What the Resource Bank contains:

Roots & Growth Tool

A self-guided reflection journey to support organisational learning and strategic planning.

Learning Tool

A short, action-oriented guide to help you ask better questions, adapt in real-time, and track what matters.

Evaluating Evidence-Based Approaches

Blending research from Population Council, UNICEF and others with grassroots-informed insights into what's working, what's promising, and how to know when change is happening.

Costed Solution Templates

Practical examples with unit costs, how-to tips, and links to prevention outcomes.

How to use the Resource Bank

    • Start anywhere. Use what fits your needs now, skip or come back to the rest later.
    • Use it solo or with your team, as part of reflection days, funding applications, learning workshops, or programme design.
    • Download, adapt and share this is a tool for you and your partners.
    • Keep in touch, this is a living resource. Through regular learning circles, Q&As, and feedback loops, we invite you to shape future updates.

    The co-creation journey: Built on trust, led by grassroots

    This Resource Bank of What Works to End FGM is the result of an intentional, grassroots-led co-creation process that prioritised trust, transparency, and meaningful participation. From the beginning, we knew this couldn't be just another top-down resource. It had to be designed with the grassroots organisations that are leading the work in communities with high prevalence of FGM and other forms of violence against girls and women every day.

    How we did it

    In January 2025, we held the first co-creation meeting with a national coalition of 12 grassroots organisations representing diverse communities across Kisii, West Pokot, Kuria, Kajiado, Mandera, Samburu, and Narok counties in Kenya. This convening marked the beginning of a bold and collaborative journey to shape a resource that reflects the real challenges, innovations, and insights of community-led efforts to end FGM.

    From there, the process unfolded through:

    • A desk review of over 15 global and regional evidence hubs, 10 MEL tools and 15 community-centred resources on prevention of violence against women and girls to ensure that this Resource Bank complements rather than duplicates existing work.
    • Monthly virtual co-creation workshops, each focusing on key priority solutions identified from co-creation workshops, themes like economic development, education and evidence use.
    • A multi-stakeholder convening in Nairobi in April 2025, bringing together funders, Kenyan Government, researchers, and grassroots leaders to explore alignment.
    • A series of regional grassroots convenings in May 2025 in Kisii, Samburu, Kuria and Kajiado (with Tanzania partners) with 62 grassroots organisations all designed to centre lived realities and strengthen shared ownership of the Resource Bank.
    • Ongoing 1:1 calls, email feedback, voice notes, and WhatsApp conversations, which helped refine the content, plan workshops to ensure accessibility, relevance, and dignity.

    For Grassroots Organisations

    This is your space. This Resource Bank is here to help you:

    • Reflect on your strengths, track growth, and plan for the future using the modular Roots & Growth tool; a capacity reflection & building tool.
    • Design smarter, more adaptive projects using learning question templates.
    • Showcase your work and tell your story using the costed solution frameworks, and simple ways to track your change.
    • Build visibility and credibility with funders, partners, and policymakers on your own terms.
    • You don"t need to use everything at once. Start where you are. The Resource Bank is flexible, downloadable, and designed to grow with you.

    For Funders

    This Resource Bank offers you:

    • A direct window into grassroots experience and impact.
    • Opportunities to deepen your investment in what works beyond short project cycles by backing long-term, locally-driven impact.

    Why it matters

    This process has been about more than just putting together a resource to support work to end violence against girls and women; it's also been about rebuilding trust. By slowing down, sharing back, and creating consistent spaces for co-creation & introspection, we worked to shift power dynamics demonstrating that grassroots leadership is respected and foundational.

    This Resource Bank is stronger because of these voices. Which reflects the depth of experience, the innovations born of resilience, and the unwavering commitment to human rights shown by grassroots leaders across Kenya and Tanzania.

    With deep gratitude

    We honour and thank every organisation, leader, and young person who contributed to this process whether through an idea shared, a survey completed or a story bravely told. Your voices built this Resource Bank.