Ethiopia receives 2024 UN Population Award for efforts against child marriage, FGM

Addis Ababa, July 12, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MoWSA) has been recognized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for its leadership to the Ethiopian National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation & Child Marriage.

The Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye attended the United Nations Population Award at the United Nations headquarters in New York yesterday and received the award.

The Ethiopian National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation & Child Marriage was one of the two laureates for 2024 selected by the Committee for the United Nations Population Award in the “Individual” and “Institution” categories, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the awareness of population issues and solutions.

Speaking at the ceremony, the minister detailed the Government of Ethiopia’s legal, policy, and programmatic efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, as well as harmful traditional practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM).

She emphasized that this global recognition will further bolster Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

The ceremony was attended by UN Deputy Secretary General Amina J. Mohamed, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Natalia Kanem, and other officials of UN member states and international organizations.

The Ethiopian National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation & Child Marriage was established in 2012 and includes government institutions, civic associations, research institutions and religious institutions.

This strategic partnership and coordination platform brings together government sectors, civil society organizations, UN agencies, development partners, research institutions, and faith-based actors.

Led by the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, the National Alliance is mandated to oversee, coordinate, manage, and provide policy guidance on mechanisms and national strategies to prevent and eliminate child marriage and FGM.

The United Nations Population Award, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, is presented to individuals and institutions with outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health.