Unified Action: Senegal’s Commitment to End FGM

In December 2023, Senegal marked a crucial milestone in the battle against Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) with the creation of a new multi-sectoral National Action Plan to end FGM/C. The plan includes key initiatives and activities from Government Ministries, UN agencies, and civil society, including those being implemented under The Girl Generation: Support to the Africa-led Movement to End FGM/C programme, paving the way for collective efforts to eradicate this form of gender-based violence. With an impressive commitment of almost £4m (CFA 3 billion) from over 60 organizations and Ministries in Senegal dedicated to ending FGM/C, key priorities include establishing a comprehensive coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs).

The unified national action plan results from a series of workshops over the course of 2023 and aligns with the National Strategy for the Abandonment of FGM/C. The coalition driving the creation of the plan gathered for a three-day workshop in Saly in December 2023 to finalise the plan, supported by ActionAid Senegal through the TGG-ALM programme,

The workshop’s objectives were ambitious: revisiting the harmonized national action plan, establishing a coalition, defining operations, developing a priority action plan for 2024-2026, and creating a resource mobilization plan. Expectations were high, envisioning synergies, standardized positions, and an agenda to accelerate the elimination of FGM/C.

The outcomes have the potential to be transformative for efforts to end FGM/C. The coalition revisited and enhanced the national action plan, crafted a resource mobilization plan, and initiated monitoring and evaluation activities. Beyond documents, the workshop fostered collective synergy among CSOs. It standardized their position, created a platform for exchanging tools and activities, and defined roles for fundraising and intervention pooling.

This coalition, now a driving force, stands as a monitoring and advocacy committee. It not only connects CSOs but ensures effective collaboration among those addressing FGM daily. Senegal’s commitment to ending FGM is now stronger than ever, with a united front poised to bring about lasting change.