Introduction

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is an extreme form of violence against women and girls. It is a severe human rights violation with life-long consequences for hundreds of millions of women and girls who are cut across the world.

Since 2008, UNFPA and UNICEF lead the largest global programme to accelerate the elimination of FGM. The UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation is active in 17 of the worst affected countries globally, including Djibouti, Egypt, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Across the five countries in the Arab region, UNFPA delivers creative solutions to end FGM in partnership with women and girls, men and boys, local leaders and communities.

The five life-changing stories provide a glimpse into how UNFPA and partners everyday accelerate innovation and invest in women’s leadership, networks, technology and social entrepreneurship to eliminate the scourge of FGM.

Support UNFPA to accelerate innovation to #EndFGM

EGYPT

The UNFPA Social Innovation Incubator supports female entrepreneurs to bring their business ideas to life, while tackling harmful practices in their communities. 7 social entrepreneurs were selected for support in Egypt in 2022, receiving seed-funding, guidance and support for her Sohag Governorate startup that trains women and girls in handicrafts and embroidery to sell, and brings them together to share information. READ MORE

SUDAN

UNFPA supports the Saleema Initiative launched in 2009 by the National Council for Child Welfare and UNICEF Sudan. "Saleema" is an Arabic word that means "wholeness," “healthy in body and mind” and it aims to abolish FGM by value-based public awareness campaigns across institutions in Sudan. READ MORE

YEMEN

Religious, community, academic leaders and young people are coming together across Yemen to combat the scourge of female genital mutilation (FGM) and the myths that underpin it. Through the ground-breaking ‘Shamekhat,’ or ‘Girls Stand Tall’ Network, influential religious leaders now use busy Friday sermons to bust the myth that FGM is condoned by religion, and are working with experts and partners to raise awareness of the risks in their communities. READ MORE

SOMALIA

Somalia’s first-ever UNFPA FGM Innovation Challenge has given girls the know-how, tools and funds to fight female genital mutilation (FGM) with creative ideas, initiatives and campaigns. 16 girls groups applied for the landmark Innovation Challenge in 2021 that aimed to empower women and girls to boost action to end FGM, and was run with the Mogadishu-based iRise Hub. Five groups were selected to join a bootcamp, where experts assisted them to develop and scale their solutions for long-term impact. READ MORE

DJIBOUTI

Djibouti’s innovative Elle & Elles network brings eight youth associations together to break taboos, raise awareness of the risks young people face and support their rights and choices. Through talks and door-to-door visits, members meet young people to discuss HIV/AIDS, drug addiction, contraception, gender-based violence and FGM. READ MORE

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Community-driven innovation to end female genital mutilation in the Arab region