Eritrea on Track to Become First Nation to Eradicate FGM Sabrin Solomon A high-level delegation from the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) visited Eritrea from September 29 to October 3, 2025, to celebrate the country’s remarkable progress in ending the harmful practice. Eritrea has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment, formalized through the National Strategic Plan on FGM (2020–2025) and in partnership with the UN since 2018. Over 1.4 million people have been reached through campaigns, and 14 sub-zones are now officially free from FGM. This progress is reflected in the FGM prevalence rate among women aged 15–49, which dropped from 95% in 1995 to 83% in 2010, while opposition to the practice rose dramatically to 82% in the same period.
The five-day mission, which included UN and partner government representatives, marked a milestone in Eritrea’s journey toward eliminating FGM by 2030. The delegation met with officials, religious and community leaders, and survivors, visiting areas known for pioneering community-driven action. Julia Bunting, Director of the Programme Division at UNFPA and Co-Chair of the Global Steering Committee Tell us more about your mission here in Eritrea. Every year, the steering committee visits one of the countries that are part of the program. We were incredibly privileged to be here in Eritrea this year, and it has been an absolutely inspiring visit. What we’ve witnessed is an unbelievable commitment from the government, ministers, religious leaders, and the community. We met with many young people, and their knowledge, understanding, and shared experiences have been truly transformative. We are very hopeful that by 2030, Eritrea will be on track to end FGM and could be one of the first countries in the world to eliminate the practice. Is there perhaps one or two experiences you’ve seen here that could help other countries? What has inspired me the most is the commitment from the whole of society, from the government down to the community and the young people.
That’s a real sign of the progress we’ve seen here. We had the privilege of meeting with the National Technical Committee, which brings together the Ministries of Labor and Social Welfare, Health, and the National Statistics Office. They meet regularly to analyze the data, assess progress, and identify gaps, allowing them to target their interventions where the needs are greatest. I think using that data-driven approach with a whole-of-government response is what’s making the most significant difference here. Is donor support contributing significantly to the program’s success? This is a joint program to end FGM, with crucial support from many governments worldwide, including European partners like Sweden, France, Germany, the European Union, the UK, the US, and others. We must share this story—not just globally, but by highlighting the specific work happening here in Eritrea. There is a powerful partnership between the government and the UN agencies, supported by these funders, to ensure we can truly and surely end FGM, just as the Eritrean government is committed to doing. Is there anything else you’d like to add? I would like to personally reflect on what an incredible country Eritrea is. It wasn’t a country I knew much about before I arrived, but it is a wonderful place with stunning landscapes and friendly, supportive people. Everybody has been incredibly welcoming. We are grateful for the privilege and opportunity to visit, and I hope that more people will learn about the beauty and progress of Eritrea moving forward. Jérôme Cauchard, Ambassador of France to Eritrea: How was the field trip, Mr. Ambassador? We went on a field trip and confirmed that Eritrea is doing very well in fighting against FGM, which was impressive, and I was thrilled to be part of the trip. More and more zones and sub-zones are becoming FGM-free. What a success for Eritrea. David, UK Chief of Mission in Eritrea What can you tell us about your tour in the Anseba region? Well, the UK is proud to support efforts to tackle female genital mutilation and other harmful practices, including underage marriage.
It is a privilege to see the progress that the local communities have been making here in Eritrea. And I want to congratulate the communities for the progress they’ve made in eliminating this practice and other harmful ones. And we are here to support the UNICEF and UNFPA programs as well. It was a pleasure to meet the visitors as part of the steering group and to collaborate with them in engaging with local communities and learning lessons that can be applied elsewhere. Toralf Pilz, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy Mr. Ambassador, you accompanied the others on the field trip. What is your general opinion on this? It has been a great privilege to be part of the field trip; it was very informative and enlightening. We want to thank the organizers, the government of Eritrea, and UNFPA for this endeavor. I’m very proud that we in Germany are part of this project, which encompasses government agencies, international organizations, and local communities. What I’ve seen and learned here is how crucial it is to have local commitment and to take the people along on the journey. Everything I have witnessed so far has been eye-opening and could serve as an example in other countries. Meanwhile, I would like to thank the local communities. I was particularly impressed by the commitment and the engagement of the students at the high school. That was really fantastic to see how they have corrected this issue of FGM and also the issue of underage marriage and related problems. I think it is really commendable, and I take this impression with me and share it with my own kids. The attitude they have shown here is something kids in Europe can learn from. Thank you. Alfonso Di Riso, Italy’s Ambassador How was the trip, in your opinion, Mr. Ambassador? Italy is a strong supporter of the program. We have been supporting it since 2008.
During our presidency of the G7 in 2024, we will have doubled our contribution. I’m thrilled to be on the trip to see the results and happy to experience the sense of unity among different layers of the population, including religious leaders, communities, and local authorities. The message I want to convey is that this is something that can be replicated elsewhere in the world. The results are astonishing. I was also very struck by the warm welcome we received in several villages. So thank you for the warm welcome, and keep up the same pace. Paolo Toselli, European Union Cooperation Programme. I was absolutely amazed by the knowledge that people have about the FGM here. And I think it’s a program that is doing very well and is successful, as I could at least see visibly that people are informed and fighting for the total eradication of FGM. The European Union, among other countries, is a supporter not only here in Eritrea but also all over the world and in Africa. We are delighted to participate and look forward to continuing.
We believe that in these kinds of programs, continuity is the most important thing, and thus it’s not something that you start and leave. At our headquarters in Brussels, they are reviewing this program, trying to find resources around the world. But we believe this is one of the programs that should continue in Eritrea and Africa in general. Thanks to the communities, I had a wonderful day with the young people. I thought it was perfect for us to come out and see what really happens on the ground. Dr. Wisal Ahmed, Global Coordinator for the UNFPA– UNICEF Joint Programme, described Eritrea’s achievements as “evidence-based and inspiring.” Tell us a bit more about the partnership program, please. This is a joint partnership between UNFPA and UNICEF since 2008. We cover 18 countries directly, but we have a global influence beyond them. FGM affects over 94 countries, so it is a worldwide problem. We are very pleased to be hosted by the Eritrean government. We’ve learnt a lot from the trip. We have met with the government, the community members, community leaders, religious leaders, and youth. We have been inspired by all the work they have been doing, and what we have seen aligns with international evidence. We know that community engagement, health education, and collaboration with influencers like religious leaders are effective. Eritrea has got it right, and we know that through the tremendous results. We know that under 5-year-olds, 2.4% are affected, and we think it’s reducing and that Eritrea might be the first country globally to end FGM. So this is a significant achievement for the government, and we’ve learned a lot of lessons that we will take away to share globally. Ending FGM is not a distant dream—it is happening, here and now, in Eritrea.
Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea X account
