Accelerating Change towards Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Effects of community dialogues on FGM/C and child marriage

Women and girls face extreme forms of violations in Somalia; common among them is Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). National statistics estimates over 97% of girls aged 15 to 19 years have undergone FGM/C. To accelerate change towards reduction in tolerance of FGM/C, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and Save the Children International (SCI) jointly implemented a 4-year (2016 – 2020) programme in in Garbaharey and Belethawa districts in Gedo, Jubaland and Bosaso, Qardo, Garowe and Eyl districts in Puntland, Somalia. The project focussed on addressing socials norms perpetuating FGM/C and CEFM through various initiatives such as advocacy for legal and policy framework, community-level sensitization and discussions, and providing medical and psychological supports to the girls facing health problems due to FGM/C. This study explores the progress of the joint programme results from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, it tests the effects achieved by community level discussions – labelled Community Dialogue Sessions.