In December 2023, Senegal marked a crucial milestone in the battle against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) with the creation of a new multi-sectoral National Action Plan to end FGM. 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 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, 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. 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.
The outcomes have the potential to be transformative for efforts to end FGM. 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.
