2008 Annual Report of FGM Joint Programme: Accelerating Change

This is the first annual report of the Joint Programme, whose objective is to contribute to a 40 per cent reduction of the practice among girls aged 0-15 years, in key countries, with at least one country declared free of FGM/C by 2012. Although it aims to cover 17 countries where female genital cutting/mutilation is most prevalent, in 2008, the programme addressed the issue in eight countries key countries: Djibouti, Egypt,  Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,Senegal and Sudan.

Significant progress was made during the first year in the following areas:

• Consultation with countries
• Appointment of Global Coordinator
• Development of annual workplans
• Launch of the Joint Programme
• Government mechanisms established
• Baseline studies undertaken
• Community-led activities to abandon FGM/C
• Creation of networks