The UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) contributes to ending female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM or cutting) by 2030 through accelerated collective and multi-sectoral action by mobilizing a broad spectrum of actors at community, national, regional and global levels. It is the largest global programme to accelerate the abandonment of this harmful traditional practice and thereby advance women’s and girls’ rights, health and well-being. Project activities include: (1) providing capacity development (including comprehensive sexuality and life skills education) that promotes gender-equitable norms, including the eliminating FGM or cutting; (2) implementing an alternative rites of passage programme by supported communities; (3) supporting medical and paramedical schools to mainstream FGM or cutting into curricula training; (4) supporting institutions and systems (education, health, child protection) to integrate the prevention of and response to FGM or cutting in policies and plans; (5) creating a multi-sectoral evidence-based, gender-transformative FGM or cutting elimination policy or strategy; and (6) supporting the development of budgeted emergency preparedness and response and disaster risk reduction plans that integrate sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence and harmful practices. Direct beneficiaries are girls and women at risk of (68 million) or affected by (200 million) FGM or cutting, and their families, communities, local and national institutions, particularly in 17 targeted countries (Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda and Yemen) and especially in hard-to-reach areas.
