Bissau, 24 February 2023 - As part of the Joint UNFPA/UNICEF Programme for the elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), a roundtable discussion on FGM in Guinea Bissau was held today, to reflect with stakeholders on the results achieved and the efforts made in the area of FGM a decade after the approval of the law, and to outline strategies that can accelerate the end of this practice.
The opening ceremony, which took place in Bissau, was chaired by the Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, the Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA, and the Representative of the United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF.
It should be noted that FGM, a human rights violation, is a practice in many countries that is based on tradition, i.e. a mixture of cultural and social reasons, such as social pressure and convention, religious beliefs among others.
However, since 2008, UNFPA and UNICEF have led the largest global programme to accelerate the elimination of FGM. This programme works with an inclusive and participatory strategy, with different civil society organizations, local communities, government authorities for changes in social and gender norms that can positively impact the health and well-being of girls and women in Guinea-Bissau.
The 4th phase of the Joint Programme, launched in 2022, aims to strengthen and intensify all efforts towards the elimination of female genital mutilation by 2030.
For 2023, UNFPA in Guinea-Bissau will invest in advocacy in action through community dialogues and training. The main focus (target audiences) is on a) religious and traditional leaders to prepare communities for the declaration of abandonment of FGM and b) young people as future parents to be promoters of change. Complementary actions aim to the empowerment of young girls and women victims of FGM.
In order to accelerate the move towards the elimination of female genital mutilation by 2030, UNFPA in Guinea-Bissau, will implement key intervention aiming at strengthening the capacity of local actors to better advocacy and influence at all levels from the community to decision makers through awareness of behavior change and gender norms. UNFPA will work with associations and youth networks to advocate for social and behavior change for future generations and to influence decision-makers for better applicability of the law that prohibited and criminalized the FGM in the country. Investments will be channeled to awareness raising campaigns using radio, TV and social media.
