Marie-Claire Kakpotia is a feminist and activist fighting to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Kakpotia is the founder and director of the NGO Les Orchidées Rouges, an organization which works for the elimination of FGM and organizes legal and medical support for its victims. Kakpotia is a survivor of FGM, which she her father’s family made her forcibly undergo at age 9 over her mother’s opposition. After moving to France, Kakpotia underwent reconstructive surgery at age 34 to reverse the damage done to her when she was only 9. Realizing that there was no organization to support women in her position, she founded Les Orchidées Rouges in Bordeaux.