Promoting Women’s Bodily Autonomy

one of the key actions required for the implementation of HRC 44/16 is to invest resources in a systemic and comprehensive capacity building of NHRIs for them to conduct public inquiry for the elimination of FGM. Hence, the UNFPA/UNICEF Joint programme for the prevention and elimination of FGM developed a tool called Primer.

This tool provides a concise one-stop guide for planning and conducting a public inquiry on FGM, designed for NHRIs in countries with high prevalence on FGM. While the tool offers guidance to enhance the capacity and accountability of NHRIs on gender transformative, sexual and reproductive health and rights, it prioritizes public inquiries by NHRIs for eliminating FGM, with a clear step-by-step outline on its implementation, which includes holding a public inquiry on FGM, reflecting advocacy, and programming guidance on addressing FGM within the CoVID-19 pandemic.

The launch of the Primer was represented by co-sponsors and member states, including Australia, burkina Faso, Egypt, Kenya, Norway, sierra leone, spain, sudan, the United Kingdom, European Union and the African Union. The collaboration with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) and other regional Networks of NHRIs provides greater opportunity to widen the scope of reach to NHRIs for the full implementation of the Primer.

on June 23rd, 2021, the Joint program in coordination with the UNFPA Geneva office, had a successful collaboration with the office of the High Commissioner (oHCRC) on a high-level panel that was conveyed to discuss the multi-sectoral prevention of, and response to FGM. This HlP convened during its 47th session brought together diverse speakers from member states, Csos and NHRIs. the UNFPA’s Executive Director - Dr Natalia Kanem, the African Union Commissioner from the Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and social Development - H.E Ms. Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil, the Commissioner from the National Commission on Violence Against Women, Komnas Perempuan (Indonesia) Mr. bahrud Fuad. The HlP also resulted to a joint statement by burkin faso and Egypt on the call for an end to anti medicalisation of FGM. The full statement was signed up by about 141 member states/ countries represented global by all regions, including the United Nations.

Chaired by H.E Ms. Nazhat shameen Khan, President of the HRC, there were reaffirmations, and sustained calls for multisectoral response at all levels, including ensuring joint efforts to end the medicalisation of the practices. This included ensuing laws to promote prevention/ mitigation, enhancing positive gender and social norms that will ensure community and all level leadership and actions on eliminating FGM, with accountability including that of the NHRIs.

Also, on December 10 ,during the human rights day of the 16 Days of Activism, a round table conversation involving NHRIs and Csos, to discuss their role in promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls at risk of fgm, and those living with the consequences of this harmful practice was hosted by DefendDefender in collaboration with UNFPA and the NANHRI.

Chaired by the Director: Ms. Monica Ferro of the UNFPA Geneva office, political commitments /action oriented remarks were delivered by: Ambassador Nadine Traore, Deputy Permanent Representative of burkina Faso in Geneva, Ms. Mireille Tushiminina , Global Coordinator, UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM, Mr. David barissa; senior Program officer, and officer in Charge, NANHRI, and Mr. Hassan shire; Executive Director, DefendDefenders, and chairperson, AfricanDefenders. Facilitated by the Deputy Chief of UNFPA Geneva office: Mr. Alfonso barragues the conversation on the HRC 44/16, and the Primer to conduct public inquiry for the prevention and elimination of FGM had over 8 panelists represented by NHRIs from liberia: Urias Teh Pour; Acting Executive Director NHRI, Ms. Ruth sekindi; Director Monitoring and Inspections Uganda, NHRI senegal, Mr. Abdoulaye Mar; Coordonnateur Comité sénégalais des Droits de l’Homme-NHRI, Female lawyers Association (l.A.W.Y.E.R.s) from sierra leone and Ms. Juliet Kaikai; Deputy secretary General.

Csos were represented by Equality Now Regional Network Ms. Asenath Mwithigah; Global lead to end Harmful Practices, PURPosEFUl, from sierra leone, Ms. Nicky spencer Coker; heads of movement building and advocacy, and Dinidari Africa Foundation from Nigeria represented by Ms. Ndi Kato; Executive Director.

This event provided a platform for NHRIs and Csos to strengthen collaboration on actions to prevent and eliminate FGM of all forms/ types. Also, commitments have been seen translated into actions of positioning FGM elimination and its accountability within the ongoing national action planning of the senegalise NHRI, while l.A.W.Y.E.R.s. in sierra leone pledge to include FGM in thier legal and rights based deliverables for the very first time.