EU project saves thousands of girls from female genital mutilation
07-03-2012
Thousands of girls in Egypt are no longer being subjected to female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), thanks to an innovative EU and UNICEF project, which has helped families, communities and countries to change attitudes and end the harmful traditional practices in Africa, says a report on the EU funded project ahead of International Women's Day, 8 March.
As a result of education and awareness raising, girls in thousands of communities in Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Senegal and Sudan are no longer subjected to this practice.
In Egypt, where 91% of women are affected by the practice, the project has made progress, with female genital mutilation/cutting becoming less common amongst younger age groups. The number of families signing up to the abandonment of the practice also increased substantially: from 3,000 in 2007 to 17,772 in 2011.
In Senegal, where 28% of women aged 15-49 have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting, astonishing progress has been made. In just under a decade, over 5,300 communities have abandoned the practice, bringing the country close to becoming the first in the world to declare total abandonment, expected by 2015.
The project helped to raise awareness of the dangers of female genital mutilation/cutting, by encouraging large-scale community discussions and national debate on issues of human rights, as well as collective decision-making through extended social networks about gender norms. This method resulted in communities coming together for district-wide public declarations of the abandonment of these practices.
EU Development Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs, welcomed the results: "I find it totally unacceptable that in the 21st century, this practice, which is a clear violation of human rights, is still taking place. That is why I am so pleased to see that EU aid can make a real difference. By raising awareness on the dangers of female genital mutilation/ cutting at grassroots level, we have helped to provide young women across Africa with an alternative, as well as giving them the chance to become an active part of their own communities in the future."
In many African countries, female genital mutilation/cutting is a centuries-old custom, believed to make girls marriageable. Estimates show that up to 140 million girls and women have undergone some form of female genital mutilation/cutting and are living with painful complications. Each year around three million girls – 8,000 a day – suffer the results of it. The practice occurs in African countries, and some countries in the Middle East and Asia. Girls are generally aged between five and 11 and most are cut without any medical supervision.
The project, implemented by UNICEF, received a total of €3,991,000 (3.9 million) in EU funding over the period 2008-2012.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, the ENPI Info Centre has put together a package of materials and resources to highlight cooperation between the EU and its southern neighbours in the field of gender equality, including a brand new feature story, a specially produced video, and a press pack. (ENPI Info Centre)
Read more
UNICEF website – focus area child protection
UNICEF Publication – The Dynamics of Social Change – Towards the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Five African Countries
Project video
Project fact sheet
ENPI Info Centre resources – women’s day 2012
EuropeAid fact sheet – International Women's Day 2012
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