Every year on February 6th, International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Eritrea reaffirms its unwavering stance against FGM. This year the Day was honored at an official ceremony held in Halib Mentel, a village in the Elabered sub-zone, Anseba region.
The event was attended by government officials, UN representatives, NGO directors, religious leaders, local residents, and invited guests.
In his speech, Mr. Solomon Asghedom, head of Social Services at the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), talked about the significant progress made in the battle against FGM at Anseba region. He said, “Having made significant strides in combating FGM, Anseba region serves as an inspiration in the fight against the harmful practice. Our gathering in Halib Mentel aims to explore how success is spreading from within the region. We are also here today to assess the behavioral changes adopted by the communities where the worst forms of FGM were once deeply entrenched.”
Mr. Solomon added that as a symbolic gesture of one’s support for the abolition of FGM, trees are planted in front of homes in Halib Mentel. This has been supported by those who used to practice female circumcision. The planting of trees, they say, is a reminder to remain vigilant in their commitment to abandon FGM permanently. This demonstrates the community’s unwavering dedication and shared determination to eradicate the harmful tradition.
Bringing together religious leaders, elders, women, children, and local officials, the community stood united against the longstanding scourge that has inflicted harm upon girls and women across the nation. Among the multitude stood Mr. Gerekidan Gebrekidus, a revered village elder whose weathered face bore witness to the changing tides of tradition.
Mr. Gerekidan said, “Despite its grave threat to our daughters, we once overlooked the dangers of FGM. However, through government and organizational efforts, we’ve been sensitized to its dangers, raising our awareness significantly. Our journey from suffering to dignity is evident. Today, we proudly declare the permanent burial of this evil practice, ensuring it remains buried for eternity. On this 6th of February 2024, we renew our pledge to eradicate FGM forever.”
Ms. Tekea Tesfamichael, President of the NUEW, called for a concerted effort to eliminate harmful practices such as FGM and to safeguard the future of Eritrean girls and women. She emphasized the importance of standing as guardians of their rights and ensuring that every step forward is a step towards their empowerment and freedom from the shackles of harmful traditional practices, including FGM.
Ms. Senait Mehari, Director General of the NUEW, expressed her confidence that FGM would soon be completely abolished across Eritrea. She said that as with FGM there has been steady decline in the incidence of a number of other harmful traditional practices. And some practices have been eradicated entirely. “With heightened awareness, I’m confident FGM will be fully abolished in Eritrea. We are committed to permanently burying this practice and ensuring it never resurfaces,” she concluded.
FGM was banned in Eritrea in 2007, and since then there has been a gradual decline in its prevalence. UNFPA and UNICEF have been instrumental partners in the fight against FGM, employing innovative strategies to promote behavioral changes. Keita Ohashi, UNFPA representative in Eritrea, emphasized the global significance of the day and the ongoing collaborative efforts with the Eritrean government. He said, “FGM commemoration always means we try to eliminate Female Genital Mutilation not only in Eritrea but all over the world. Eritrea is one of the countries that adopted the law against FGM in 2007. But in terms of awareness, it may take some time, especially for the rural community. We are working together with the Government to eliminate this practice and bring it down to zero.”
Ms. Yordanos, UNFPA Assistant Representative in Eritrea, emphasized the grave consequences of FGM and the urgent need to end this harmful practice. She said, “FGM inflicts only suffering, offering no benefits. Young girls, without consent, are forced to face lifelong obstacles in the name of parental and traditional wishes. Bleeding to death and uncontrollable genital odor are among the dangers, particularly in Halib Mentel where severe forms of FGM were once practiced, leading to debilitating diseases. It’s a stark reminder of the urgent need to end this harmful practice.”
Ms. Yordanos stressed the need for unified action and understanding of the dangers of FGM. She said that to permanently eradicate FGM, a unified step must be taken by collectively understanding its risks and completely abandoning the practice. Addressing early marriage is equally critical. The success of Halib Mentel in overcoming these practices should serve as a model for neighboring areas, accelerating the collective efforts to eliminate harmful traditional practices by 2030. With a shared vision and determination, this goal can be achieved sooner than anticipated, safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed Yussuf, UNICEF Representative in Eritrea, commended Eritrea’s progress in its fight against FGM and pledged continued support to eliminate the practice alongside underage marriages. He acknowledged the achievements in Anseba Region saying, “It’s a great job! The Government has done commendable work in eliminating FGM here. We have nine sub-zones in the Anseba region, and four of them are already FGM-free, with another four in the pipeline to be declared FGM-free. That really shows the level of commitment and the noble job that the Government has done in the region.”
Ms. Hawa Wanita Page, Child and Social Protection Specialist at UNICEF Eritrea, praised Eritrea’s progress in combating FGM. She said, “We have four sub-zones in Anseba region that have been declared FGM-free, and we have additional four that we are doing data collection on, and we are very sure that they are going to be declared FGM-free. So, Anseba region is going to serve as a model for all the other regions. And with the progress we see from the different regions, we are very sure that Eritrea will soon be declared FGM-free.”
Ambassador Abdellah Musa, Governor of Anseba region, emphasized the crucial role of Eritrean women in spearheading the campaign against harmful practices. He said, “The responsibility for ending harmful traditional practices like FGM lies with every member of society, but Eritrean women play a vital role. While all citizens should share the duty to eradicate FGM, women must take proactive steps as it directly impacts them and their daughters.”
Ms. Senait Mehari highlighted the collaborative efforts to combat FGM. She said, “Since 2017, the Ministries of Health and Labor and Social Welfare, and the NUEW have collaboratively established a National Steering Committee on FGM. Spearheaded by the NUEW President, the committee’s achievements have led to a decline in FGM practices, which is evidenced by research. Positive behavioral changes are evident across Eritrea’s regions. We need to build upon the committee’s success and further advance the cause against FGM.”
Ms. Akhberet Solomon, a resident of Halib Mentel, applauded the awareness raising campaigns for their effects in bringing about behavioral change. She said, “The current success in combating FGM is a direct outcome of collaborative endeavors by the Ministries of Health, Labor and Human Welfare, and the National Union of Eritrean Women. Organized into groups by the NUEW, we conducted door-to-door campaigns, raising awareness about FGM’s perils and informing communities about Government Proclamation No. 158/2007 against FGM. These concerted efforts significantly contributed to FGM’s elimination in our area. While no penalties have been enforced in Elabered for FGM, high societal awareness prevails. Notably, over 97% abandonment of FGM has been achieved at the sub-regional level, though complete eradication remains a challenge due to deeply entrenched beliefs. This success reflects the collaborative dedication of all stakeholders and partners.”
Significant strides have been made in combating FGM, with Asmat and Habero sub-zones declared FGM-free in 2017, followed by Halhal and Adi-Tekelezan sub-zones in 2022. Now, Elabered sub-zone, where Halib Mentel is located, stands on the brink of abolishing the practice, edging closer to being declared FGM-free.
Eritrea and its partners, including the United Nations, envision a future where FGM is consigned to history. The community’s dedication and collaborative spirit serve as a symbol of hope, paving the way for a world free from the scourges of female genital mutilation. Through continued efforts, advocacy and mass education, Eritrea, along with its partners, strives for a future where the practice of FGM is eradicated, ensuring the health, well-being, and rights of all girls and women.