Technical Guidance: A Comprehensive Approach to Accelerating the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
Publication
Technical Guidance: A Comprehensive Approach to Accelerating the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation
Number of pages: 82
Publication date: 31 Dec 2021
Publisher: UNFPA, UNICEF
This technical guidance synthesizes findings from research and evidence-informed interventions, strategies, and lessons learned based on the experiences of the Joint Programme and other programmes supported by partners to inform the design and implementation of programmes aiming to end female genital mutilation.
Research agenda and ethical guidance on FGM research
Publication
Research agenda and ethical guidance on FGM research
Publication date: 30 Aug 2022
Author: UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and Population Council-Kenya
This ‘Global Research Agenda’, produced by UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO and Population Council-Kenya, outlines evidence gaps and research priorities that need to be addressed to eliminate FGM over the next five years and provides approaches to enable uptake and effective use of the evidence generated.
The joint evaluation, conducted by the Evaluation Offices of UNFPA (lead agency) and UNICEF, assesses the programme contributions to outputs and outcomes during Phase III of the Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (2018-2021). The evaluation provides evidence and lessons to inform the design of the Joint Programme post-Phase III to accelerate towards the Sustainable Development Goal target to end female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030.
The evaluation finds that the Joint Programme continues to be a strategic and relevant response to the global issue of ending FGM. The Joint Programme has adapted effectively to COVID-19. The agility with which the programme has responded provides lessons for adapting to and understanding FGM within humanitarian settings. Yet, FGM receives insufficient consideration in humanitarian systems. The Joint Programme design is gender responsive, with a clear aspiration to move towards a gender-transformative approach, however, greater clarity is required to translate this approach to the country level.
Data collection methods
Among the several recommendations, the evaluation recommends the Joint Programme prioritize its global policy and advocacy work and should strategically strengthen the implementation of accountability systems. The Joint Programme should also advocate for fully funded national legal and policy frameworks, including addressing complex situations such as medicalization and cross-border FGM. A humanitarian approach should also be integrated within the post-Phase III Joint Programme design.
These lessons and evidence may also accelerate the implementation of the UNFPA strategic plan, 2022-2025, focused on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices against all women and girls, especially those that are furthest behind.
