Reducing the practice of Female Genital Mutilation

Until this reporting period, no fund was accessed for our project “Reducing the practice of Female Genital Mutilation.”

AISDA; however, done preliminary activities like conducting a rapid assessment to identify condition of children and girls' health in relation to FGM and HTPs, women of birth attendants, major CBOs and health institutions existed in each kebeles/sub districts, the existing health and health extension workers and their gaps etc and the draft document produced has been shared to local government offices like the district women and children office, the district Health Office and the District Administration offices.

After the project is signed by the government, launched to the community, the final document of the findings of the assessment will be shared through web sites and to all concerned stakeholders.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), which is a severe form of violence against girls and women, appears to be a main determinant of both neonatal mortality and maternal mortality in Afar region. As a result, AISDA wanted to intervene with a project entitled with “Reducing the practice of Female Genital Mutilation” through raising fund from GlobalGiving. Till now, no fund was raised; however, AISDA has done some preliminary activities with its own expense. Before launching and implementing of the project in the target district, a rapid assessment was conducted to identify condition of children and girls' health in relation to FGM and HTPs, women of birth attendants, major CBOs and health institutions existed in each kebeles/sub districts, the existing health and health extension workers and their gaps etc. The key objective of this assessment is to collect and compile basic and pertinent information that can be of useful for project activity implementation. Similarly, cooperating with the district Women and Children affair office, community conversation group members have been selected. These group members are representing the among influential persons as religious leaders, clan leaders, local political leaders, community health workers and TBAs (Traditional Birth Attendants). Soon a fund is raised or accessed, a project launching for the target community and the actual planned activity implementation will be started.