Men and boys often hold positions of power and influence in the communities where FGM is practiced. They can use their influence to advocate against the practice and to educate others about the harm it causes. Men and boys can also play a vital role in challenging harmful stereotypes and attitudes that contribute to the perpetuation of FGM.

This past summer, my team at There Is No Limit Foundation designed a program, Roots of the Future, to connect African immigrants in New York City to social services and resources. In order to best serve the African immigrant community, we conducted a focus group via Zoom. To assess their needs, we asked questions about experiences and struggles with social issues like health, education, and housing.

I came to There Is No Limit Foundation because of my love for my friends and because of my desire to contribute to something greater than myself.  The Foundation’s work is so meaningful to me as it is about the whole person: economic independence, education and health.  As many of us know, it is difficult to have any of these without all. Two quotes that stuck with me at the conference that highlight the role of power in the human rights discussion that doesn’t seem to be explicitly stated as much as I heard it at this conference.  Dr. Natalia Kanem, Executive Director of UNFPA: “It’s not about empowerment; it’s about power.”  And Dr. Gita Sen, General Coordinator, DAWN: “Speak truth to power and transform power.”

Violence robs people of their human right to self determination and well-being, leaving physical, mental, and emotional scars, damage to short term and long term health, making the path to well being that much longer and more difficult.  Lack of choice in family planning exacerbates and perpetuates other development challenges. Lack of access to resources beyond those needed for basic survival, like health and education, contributes to and maintains the vicious cycle of poverty.

In November 2019, I traveled to Nairobi, Kenya for the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD). Since then, I have had this reflective piece in draft. When I came back to the United States, life got busy with the holidays, planning my wedding that was supposed to take place in May 2020, and then the world hit a standstill in March due to COVID19 lockdowns.

Our Director of Programs and Evaluation, Molly McGrath participated in Baruch College’s successful Career Week Series: Liberal Arts & Sciences Panel last week.

This week, There Is No Limit Foundation launched its US Program, The Roots Of The Future with an in-person event with high school seniors in The Bronx focused on financing their college journey, life after college and their careers. 

Get to know our Director of Programs and Evaluation who is a skilled strategist with a background in economic development.

Julia Busto lives in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and is a full-time student at New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, pursuing an MPA in Health Policy and Management with a Specialization in Health Policy Analysis.

Lubiana is a junior at Baruch College majoring in Journalism. Her goal is to use her writing to empower others and share the stories of those that lack the platform.