Ethiopia is among the countries that have been aggressively working to end all forms of harmful traditional practices that affect the health and wellbeing of young girls and women. As a result, the country has achieved encouraging results in addressing issues concerning Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Mainly, following the works carried out by joining hands with religious leaders, elders, faith communities and stakeholders, positive results are being witnessed- it was possible to reduce child marriage and FGM meaningfully.
The recent recognition and award given to Ethiopia by the United Nations Population Fund- 2024 UN Population Award for Efforts against Child Marriage, FGM, is an indication.
In the award ceremony which was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Women and Social Affairs Minister, Ergogie Tesfaye (PhD), accepted the United Nations Population Award on behalf of the National Alliance to End Child Marriage and FGM.
Speaking on the occasion, Minster Ergogie said that the special emphasis that the Ethiopian government has given to eliminate all forms of harmful traditional practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), and violence against women and girls by devising regulatory framework, policy, and programmatic interventions, is bearing positive results.
Ergogie also emphasized that this global recognition will further bolster Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Indeed, early marriage and FGM, practices that robbed many of young girls’ childhood dream and their future prospects had been a deeply entrenched tradition in many parts of Ethiopia. However, seeing the seriousness of the problem, the government, together with several stakeholders, has been engaging in various awareness campaigns, legal reforms and support programs to combat the issues. Those campaigns carried out focusing on families, communities and young girls themselves, have raised awareness about the negative impacts of early marriage.
Equally, legal measures and community engagement programs are implemented by all concerned bodies at all levels to address the challenges and end against early marriage.
Female Genital Mutilation, the other harmful traditional practice with severe health consequences, is also a focal point of Ethiopia`s effort to promote gender equality and ensure women`s rights.
Using the available means- policy framework, legal measures and strategies, as well as community engagement- the government is doing its level best to curb FGM and its undesirable social, health and economic costs. In turn, its efforts are bearing fruits with declining rates of the practices in communities across the country, particularly among rural communities.
As Ethiopia continues on its path towards gender equality and women`s empowerment, the progress made in combating early marriage and FGM serves as a beacon of hope; and the 2024 award Ethiopia received from the United Nations Population Fund for Efforts against child marriage and FGM serves as an inspiration for other nations facing similar challenges.
By prioritizing the rights and well-being of its women and girls, Ethiopia is not only transforming individual lives but also building a more inclusive and just society for generations to come.
The United Nations Population Award, established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, is presented to individuals and institutions with outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health.
In this regard, the National Alliance to End Child Marriage and FGM in Ethiopia, established in 2012, was recognized in the institutional category.
This strategic partnership and coordination platform brings together government sectors, civil society organizations, UN agencies, development partners, research institutions, and faith-based actors. And this synergy between and among the Alliance, the government and non-governmental institutions, faith-based organizations, research institutions, development partners and UN agencies, would yield positive outcome to the national efforts to end child, early, and forced marriages and FGM in Ethiopia, it was stated.
The award ceremony was attended by United Nations leaders and officials, as well as representatives from member states and international organizations.
BY LEULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 20 JULY 2024
