The African Union Saleema Initiative on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation aims to change the negative social norms which Female Genital Mutilation is rooted in. It looks to mobilise, recognise and amplify Member State led efforts. The approach is holistic and considers this harmful practice a result of social, political, economic and anthropological contexts specific to affected the communities and countries. The Commission believes that it is only through enhancing the cognitive social capital of communities as a whole, and individuals, that Female Genital Mutilation will be abandoned.