We look forward to welcoming you to the first Vavengers event of 2018! Leyla Hussein, Hoda Ali, Mabel Evans and their fellow Vavengers invite you to 'The Exhibition' - an evening exhibiting artworks based around the female form and experience.

Our aim is to use art as a vehicle to inspire discussion, bringing creatives together to raise awareness for important social issues. All proceeds of the event will be going to the building of a fistula ward in SOS Mother & Child Hospital in Mogadishu.

We hope to see you there to continue raising money for the thousands of girls who have been disregarded in Somalia because of FGM inflicted injuries

A simple proceedure is needed to fix a fistula, yet millions of girls are being ostrastised because of the lack of understanding and medical attention around the problem. With the money raised we can ensure girls are given the physical and emotional support required when suffering from fistula.

--Where? Unity Hall, 277A Upper Street, N1 2TZ

--When? Saturday 5th May 2018

--Who?

Emily Garthwaite- Photographer

Alyna Han- Sculptor

Raksha Patel - Painter

Kezia Webborn- Painter

***More artists TBC***

--With performances by

Mychelle- Singer

Anthony Anaxagorou- Poet

The White Feather Collective- Band

--How much? The ticket is £13.40 ( all proceeds going to the building of a fistula ward at SOS Hospital Mogadishu) - if you can't make it to the event, but want to support the cause anyways, you can donate on the ticket page.

--Additional Information:
The event is BYOB. One free beer will be provided with the ticket.

The exhibition will run from 6pm-10:00 pm with three artists performing to close the evening.

All artists will play for about 15-20 minutes and there will be breaks in between each of them.

--> Who are the organisers?

thevavengers.co.uk

Leyla Hussein - http://leylahussein.com/
Leyla Hussein is a trained psychotherapist and multi-award winner. She is also a community facilitator at Manor Gardens, where she now runs the Dahlia Project. Set up in 2013, it is the only counseling service for FGM survivors in the UK. Through her own personal experiences with FGM, as well as through contact with women also affected by FGM, she recognised the need that these women have for access to high quality psychological support. The project aims to provide a safe space for women and girls to unpack the effects of FGM.
The project has developed from her own vision, as a psychotherapist and activist against FGM. With over 12 years of first-hand experience of providing support to women affected by FGM, she was determined to provide a safe space for survivors to meet and talk about their experiences.

HODA ALI
Hoda Ali is a survivor of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). At age 7 she was cut in Somalia. By age 11, Hoda experienced her first of many acute hospitalisations due to complications from FGM; stagnant infected menses had caused pelvic inflammatory disease. As a result of the small hole left after FGM, Hoda had been unable to menstruate. Hoda is a FGM activist who works in a Sexual Health and HIV clinic. She has dedicated her professional life to raising awareness and campaigning for the prevention of FGM, focused on ensuring girls are treated with dignity and compassion when they encounter health care professionals in the NHS. Hoda is a trustee for 28toomany and is also a member of the North West NHS Trust FGM Advisory Board and Ealing FGM Partnership Group. Hoda is a survivor of FGM who voices the pain, comforts the victims and campaigns to protect the girls. Hoda trusts in life and a future and gives hope to FGM survivors.

MABEL EVANS-
Mabel is a young filmmaker who has been campaigning alongside survivors of FGM since she was 17. Following on from making a documentary about FGM, Mabel met Hoda and Leyla and began fundraising to erect the UK’s first anti-FGM billboards. An event was held by the Vavengers and the target was reached: In 2015, the first billboards were around London. She has since been an active supporter of Hoda, Leyla, the Dahlia Project and women's rights.