Female Genital Mutilation – positive change is happening

Female Genital Mutilation is a social practice deeply embedded in power structures in the societies concerned. Yet both in Ethiopia and Eritrea, as well as some other countries with high FGM prevalence, there seems to be a momentum for behaviour change.

The Norwegian Government's International Action Plan for combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was launched in 2003. Three years later a status report was commissioned to get an overview of what was going on. The status report presented lessons learned, best practices and knowledge gaps. Now such lessons are being put into practice in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

FGM is a social practice deeply embedded in power structures in the societies concerned. An approach to FGM should be comprehensive, related to a wider spectre of problems experienced in the communities, and the perspective has to be long-term. FGM cannot be eradicated overnight.

The 2007 report concluded that community-based projects seem to be most effective. Involvement of community leaders, religious leaders and other key persons in the communities, as well as health workers and teachers, is basic. The quality aspect of community conversations needs sufficient attention.

Reaching the "tipping point"

As marriageability is considered to be a strong maintaining factor, it is important that villages that intermarry are being targeted. Social convention theory refers to a ‘tipping point' where a ‘critical mass' of men and women abandon the practice. The hypothesis is that the likelihood of getting married when you are not cut will gradually increase as the number of non-cut women increases, and when the ‘tipping point' is passed, very rapid change will take place. Thus, FGM should not be considered to be a ‘women's business'. It has to do with relations, and there is certainly a strong masculine hand behind.

Efforts on FGM in Ethiopia and Eritrea

Ethiopia is considered a ‘focus country' for work against FGM in the Norwegian efforts to join forces and eliminate the practice. A FGM survey funded by Norway launched in July this year, shows that the FGM prevalence in Ethiopia during the last ten years has declined with 24 percent from approximately 60 to 46 percent.

A cooperation agreement with UNICEF and UNFPA totalling 100 mill. NOK over 5 years was signed in March 2008 - for funding a comprehensive programme at community level. The programme will involve government as well as NGOs, working to change the communities' attitudes and behaviour related to harmful traditional practices and HIV prevention. The target group is young people, with a special concern related to violation of the rights of young girls.

Furthermore, Norway has established a ‘Strategic Partnership on FGM' handled by Save the Children in Ethiopia with a funding of approximately NOK 45 mill over four years, that will support 5-6 partners involving government as well as NGOs. Community leaders, health workers, teachers, police, religious leaders are all joining hands in a comprehensive community approach, using radio soap-operas, women's radio groups, community conversations among other things.

Similar work is supported by Norway in Eritrea, where FGM is widely practiced. The FGM prevalence rate is estimated to be about 89 percent. UNFPA and Women's Union are doing promising work, and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) has been one of the pioneers fighting FGM in Eritrea.

Both in Ethiopia and Eritrea there seem to be a momentum for behaviour change related to FGM. The challenge now is to intensify the efforts, and ensure that the interventions are sufficient widespread and efficient to reach the tipping point.