Government and UN Recommit to end Female Genital Mutilation
* The 4th phase of the UN Joint Programme on FGM was launched during the national commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance to FGM
“With eight years remaining in this decade of action, there is potential to eliminate this harmful practice through sustainable partnerships with men and boys” said Ms. Susan Namondo, UN Resident Coordinator in Uganda at the commemoration of the International Day of zero tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation 2023 in Kampala.
Ms. Namondo added that men and boys’ voices and actions can positively change the deeply rooted social and gender norms, to create a safe space for girls and women to realize their rights and potential regarding health, education, income, and equality.”
Although the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Uganda is already declining (from 1.4 per cent in 2011 to 0.3 per cent, according to UDHS 2016), progress needs to increase tenfold to meet the global target of elimination by 2030.
“We must act quickly, decisively and on many fronts simultaneously,” said Ms. Namondo.
Hon. Peace Mutuuzo, Minister of State for Gender and Culture at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development in Uganda, the chief guest at the event reechoed Ms. Namondo’s message, asking men to partner with the government to end such harmful practices that have negative impacted our women and girls.
“The effects of FGM affect even those that have not been mutilated. Ending FGM is a job we must not delegate to others,” said Hon. Mutuuzo.
She urged all stakeholders to support the government to establish local radio station in the most affected communities in the eastern part of Uganda so that focused messages on FGM broadcast to the communities.
In Uganda, the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation has been held since 2003 and this year (2023) marks the 10th year of commemorating the International Day following the UN Resolution.
“The UN continues to be a trusted partner in efforts geared towards eliminating female genital mutilation and is committed to work with the government to eliminate this harmful practice,” said Ms. Namondo.
Since 2008, UNFPA, jointly with UNICEF, have led the largest global programme to accelerate the abandonment of female genital mutilation in 17 countries globally. In Uganda, UNFPA and UNICEF have leveraged funding from the Spotlight Initiative and UN Trust Fund for COVID-19 response to expand the services to women and girls affected by female genital mutilation.
Speaking to some of the achievements, Ms. Namondo said: “The UN family together with the Government of Uganda have expanded services for FGM prevention, protection and care for women and girls in the most affected communities in Karamoja region,”.
She added that over 35,000 community members have actively participated in making public declarations on FGM abandonment which represents a positive shift in deeply rooted social norms driving the practice of FGM.
The Spotlight Initiative and UN Trust Fund for COVID-19 response are Joint UN initiatives that brings together different UN agencies and are both managed by the Resident Coordinator’s Office. These have registered tremendous success in the different parts of Uganda, a testament that the UN family can achieve a lot through joint programmes and funds.
The Spotlight Initiative is a global, multi-year partnership between the European Union and the United Nations to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. In Africa, the Spotlight Initiative aims to eliminate sexual and gender-based violence, including harmful practices, and it is currently scaling up existing initiatives on FGM and child marriage across the region. In Uganda, the Initiative is a multi-stakeholder programme implemented by eight UN agencies (UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, UNHCR, IOM and Pulse Lab) and entities, more than 20 government ministries, departments and agencies, six district local governments, and over 30 civil society organizations, the private sector, religious and cultural institutions, and academia in Uganda. It is being implemented in 7 districts of Uganda including Amudat, Arua, Kampala, Kasese, Kitgum, Kyegewa and Tororo.
Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation is a critical step towards realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly SDGs 3 on Good Health and Well-being, 4 on Quality Education, 5 on Gender Equality and 10 on Reduced Inequalities.
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