UNFPA and UNICEF warn of imminent resurgence of Female Genital Mutilation if urgent action is not taken

BANJUL, 8 February 2021

A surge in Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is feared in The Gambia as COVID-19 disrupts learning and programmes that help protect girls from this harmful practice, UNICEF and UNPFA warn ahead of a high-level event to commemorate International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM on Tuesday. The event, to be graced by the Vice President Her Excellency Dr Isatou Touray and other stakeholders, is being jointly organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, UNFPA and UNICEF to galvanize national efforts and strengthen partnerships to eliminate FGM in the country.

Over the years, The Gambia has registered remarkable progress in eliminating FGM. Between 2010 and 2018, FGM among children 0-4 years old has dropped by 10 per cent to 27 per cent. Huge gains have also been made in changing perceptions with 49 per cent of women now openly saying FGM should stop.

“Evidently, our collective work has translated into great progress in eliminating this human rights abuse”, said Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA The Gambia Representative. “But while we take pride in our achievements, we must be more resolute to protect every girl and woman from FGM, including the 27 per cent of young girls who continue to undergo the practice.”

Even before COVID-19, reports of awidespread practice of FGM in The Gambia were rife, despite its criminalization. The outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic has made the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending FGM by 2030 an even more ambitious commitment.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted critical programmes and shuttered schools, leaving many girls vulnerable and at increased risk of FGM,” said Gordon Jonathan Lewis, UNICEF The Gambia Representative. “That is why we insist that schools must remain open at the slightest opportunity and that all measures must be taken to support programmes that help protect girls.”

To build on progress registered and protect more girls and women from FGM, UNFPA and UNICEF are calling for unified voice and action from multi-level, multi sector stakeholders; increased funding to sustain mass mobilization and actions on commitments; and urgent and decisive action to ensure that years of progress is not unraveled by the on-going pandemic.

Meanwhile, at Tuesday’s high-level engagement on FGM, 10 “End FGM Champions” will be presented and recognized for their efforts to accelerate the abandonment of the harmful practice in The Gambia. These champions, who are already leading grassroots conversations and national level advocacy to support the end FGM agenda, are expected to intensify their efforts and serve as the face of the End FGM campaign in the country.

  ***

About the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM

UNFPA – The United Nations Population Fund is the agency charged with the mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. To achieve this, the agency works towards realizing three transformative results:

·         Ending unmet need for family planning

·         Ending preventable maternal death

·         Ending gender-based violence and harmful practices

For more information about UNFPA and its work in The Gambia, visit:www.gambia.unfpa.org follow UNFPA The Gambia on Twitter and Facebook.

UNICEF – The United Nations Children’s Fund works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.​

For more information about UNICEF and its work in The Gambia, visit:www.unicef.org/gambia follow UNICEF The Gambia on Twitter and Facebook

Media contacts:

Haddy Jonga, Programme Analyst – Communications, UNFPA The Gambia – jonga@unfpa.org 

Abdoulie Sey, Communication Officer, UNICEF The Gambia – asey@unicef.org