MoWSA committed to end GBV and FGM in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, July 13, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of Women and Social Affairs, Ergogie Tesfaye, declared that her Ministry will exert concerted efforts to end gender-based violence and female genital mutilation in the country.

The minister made this remark while receiving the UN Population Award 2024 on behalf of Ethiopia’s National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) & Child Marriage at the recognition award program organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the UN Headquarters in New York this week. The National Alliance won the UN Population Award 2024 in the “Institution” category for its outstanding contributions to raising awareness about population issues and solutions.

During the occasion, Ergogie highlighted 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.

On her part, the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed recognized the achievements of the National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage in Ethiopia in the institutional category. She acknowledged that since 2012, the Alliance has demonstrated the real power of partnerships in action to improve the lives and well-being of women and girls.

The Alliance has transformed norms and behaviour and ensures the provision of appropriate and responsive service delivery to support women and children affected by harmful practices, she noted. “Through its research, the enhancement of national data and information systems, and the sharing of relevant experiences and best practices, the Alliance promotes evidence-based interventions to end child, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation in Ethiopia.”

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.