Ethiopia: Government Aims To End Child Marriage and FGM By 2025

By Staff Writer

Ethiopian government aims to eliminate child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2025, said Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen on Tuesday July 22, a global summit in London.

Speaking at the summit hosted by the UK government and UNICEF, Mekonnen announced a series of actions his government intends to take to end the activities.

"We will work closely with girls, their families and communities to end these practices for good and break the cycle of harmful traditional practices," he said.

Women, Children and Youth Affairs Minister Zenebu Tadesse said national rate of FGM had fallen by half among girls aged 14 and under from 52 percent in 2000 to 23 percent in 2011.

Prevalence of child marriage declined from 33.1 percent in 1997 to 21.4 percent in 2010.

The summit brought together youths, activists, traditional and faith leaders, government leaders and experts committed to the rights and empowerment of women and girls.

FGM is mainly practiced in Africa - in 28 countries, with prevalence rates in Africa vary between countries. Countries with high prevalence rates of 85% are for example Somalia, Egypt and Mali with Low prevalence rates of 30% in Senegal, Central African Republic and Nigeria.

In East Africa, Anti-FGM campaigns have intensified with the Kenyan government and non-governmental agencies partnering to eliminate the practice for good mostly among the communities putting stringent laws in place, facilitating education on health, increased advocacy and increased utilization of the media.