On this 6th February 2023, UNFPA joined the Ministry of Women Empowerment and the Family with other partners, to say « No » to Female Genital Mutilation. The commemoration was done in an official ceremony under the global theme: « Partnership with Men and Boys to transform social and gender norms to end Female Genital Mutilation. »
The event, which mobilised persons from various works of life, was an opportunity to reiterate the advocacy to end the practice in Cameroon in the presence of traditional and religious leaders as well as other groups. Here, information was shared on the scale of the practice in Cameroon, the legal framework condemning it as well as the health risks incurred.
FGM is a reality in regions of Cameroon such as the Far North, South West, North West and the Centre (precisely in Yaounde). It is reported that the prevalence of FGM in Cameroon is 1.4% at nation level and 20% in the regions which are most vulnerable to the practice. Again, socio-political instability makes the practice harder to grace and wider in range. This poses the urge to partner towards ending FGM by 2030 for a more equal world.
UNFPA marked the event by reading out the joint statement by UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem and UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russel. This statement reiterated that « Changing gender and social norms that encourage FGM is critical. Men and boys are powerful allies in the effort. »As part of this year’s commemoration & on the eve of the National Youth Day, UNFPA will run a week long online &offline sensitisation campaign to engage men and boys in the fight to end FGM as well as youth empowerment in partnership with Local Youth Corner Cameroon. This will be done in 4 Regions of the country to scale up youth engagement on such thematics. They include the Far North, North West, South West and Centre Regions, most affected by FGM.
#EndFGM #MenEndFGM
