United Nations Population Fund
West and Central Africa Regional Office
Newsletter
UNFPA at First African summit on FGM and Child Marriage
DED hails staff for dedicated contribution to transformative agenda , SDGs Dakar, from 15 to 18 June 2019
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The First African Summit on FGM and Child Marriage
#DAKAR DU 15 AU 19 JUIN 2019 #SOMMET AFRICAIN #mutilations génitales féminines
DED Dereje Wordofa (second from left) joined co-organisers and heads of delegations at the First African Summit on FGM and Child Marriage Deputy ED hails staff for dedicated contribution towards transformative agenda, SDGs where he advocated for the elimination of harmful practices and child marriage. VIDEO OF THE DAY
Mr. Dereje Wordofa at the opening of the African Summit on ending FGM and Child Marriage
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In Senegal, Mr. Dereje Wordofa addressed the First African Summit on Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage,
“We are not aiming for fewer cases of female genital mutilation and child marriage. We are insisting on reaching the number zero!” noted Dereje Wordofa, Deputy Executive Director for the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) when he addressed over 500 delegates at the first African summit on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage.
As the international community commemorates International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action adopted in 1994, in Cairo, Mr. Dereje Wordofa highlighted the progress made over the last 25 years in Africa. He noted declining rates of both female genital mutilation and child marriage. Population growth, he iterated, is diluting the progress that is
being made. “At the going rate, over 50 million girls are at risk of being subjected to female genital mutilation in Africa alone by 2030,” warned Dereje Wordofa. He noted that at least 200 million girls and women alive today have had their genitals mutilated, while more than 650 million women and girls were married before their 18th birthday.
Dr Saleh Abas Al Azhar Sharif, adjoint au grand imam d’Egypte
Dr Saleh Abas Al Azhar Sharif,
Deputy Grand Imam of Egypt “Marriage in Islam is based on the consent of both parties, especially the girl.The minimum age of marriage for boys and girls is 18 years old according to laws in Egypt and in line with international conventions.” noted the Deputy Grand Imam of Egypt Dr. Saleh Abasm Al Azhar Sharif, as he issued the fatwa.
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“At the going rate, over 50 million girls are at risk of being subjected to female genital mutilation in Africa alone by 2030,” warned Dereje Wordofa. In his statement, he noted that least 200 million girls and women alive today have had their genitals mutilated, while more than 650 million women and girls alive today were married before their 18th birthday.
Mme Aminata Touré
President of the Social Economic and Environmental Council
The Deputy Grand Imam of Egypt Dr. Saleh Abasm Al Azhar Sharif, issued a fatwa, noting that “Marriage in Islam is based on the consent of both parties, especially the girl.The minimum age of marriage for boys and girls is 18 years old according to laws in Egypt and in line with international conventions.” Personal representative of President Macky Sall at the summit, Mme Aminata Toure President of the social economic and environmental council of Senegal, backed the call, urging for greater synergies with all stakeholders including elders, young, religious, and artists to achieve the expected results. Following the new fatwa issued in Dakar, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem tweeted: “I welcome Al-Azhar’s new position against #childmarriage at the @africa4girls Summit. We need more bold commitments from leaders across all communities & faiths to put an end to cultural practices that harm young girls.”
Mme Jaha Mapenzi Dukureh Activist engaged in campaign to end female genital mutilation and child marriage
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FGM and child marriage campaign activist and UN Women goodwill ambassador for Africa Jaha Mapenzi Dukureh could not be indifferent to the fatwa: “This is a historic moment for us and everyone that works for the equality of girls.”
Meeting with the UN Country Team on current priorities and UN Reforms
Briefing and discussions with Senegal UN Country Team on UNFPA priorities and UN reforms
In Senegal, the Deputy Executive Director, Dereje Wordofa met with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT). After a brief welcome by the Resident Coordinator for Senegal, Priya Gajraj and UNFPA Senegal Representative Cecile Compoare, as host agency, Dereje Wordofa briefed the gathering on his mission to Senegal. He talked about the ongoing UN reforms, which is rolling out smoothly at the country level and is taking shape nicely. Country level is important as that’s where implementation is happening. He called for some patience as the reform takes form at
the regional level. With the country teams, they also exchanged on other issues including the financing the SDGs, multi-year funding, as well as domestic resource mobilization. The Deputy Executive Director also briefed the agencies on the commemoration of UNFPA’s 50th anniversary as well as the 25 years following the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25). UNFPA is looking forward to the Nairobi Summit to step up advocacy for greater commitment from member states and the international community to accelerate the unfinished business.
United Nations country team members at the meeting with the Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA
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YOUNG PEOPLE ARE KEY ACTORS TO SAVE LIVES » (Consider): GIVE1 to Partner UNFPA in Youth Empowerment
From left to right: Mr. Mabingue Ngom UNFPA Regional Director for West and Central Africa Region, Mr. Dereje Wordofa, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director, and Thione Niang of Give1 Project
June 16th was a great day for three (3) leaders in the humanitarian world. The Deputy Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Mr. Dereje Wordofa, the Regional Director of UNFPA West and Central Africa (WCARO) Mr. Mabingue Ngom and the Founder of GIVE1project Mr. Thione Niang met in Dakar- Senegal, to discuss youth empowerment. The meeting covered everything from supporting young people in Africa to entrepreneurship.« Young people are key actors to save lives » said Mr. WORDOFA who was visiting Senegal and UNFPA WCARO for the first time. The leaders want to join forces and create opportunities for the youth in Africa. Key on the agenda were: • Developing young people’s way into entrepreneurship, humanitarian work and technology; • Training young people to be self-sufficient, to believe in themselves and to be able to take decisions; • And training young people to become entrepreneurs, to create their own businesses and to gain wealth. 6
These focal points will be implemented with UNFPA through the SWEDD project, the FASS project and the Nairobi summit. As an international motivator and activist, Mr. Niang will also play a crucial role in the implementation. He leads the GIVE1project – a global organization that aims to engage young people as leaders in creating and building strong and healthy communities. The united forces of all parties will assist young people to strive for greater social, economic and political participation in their communities. A second meeting will be held soon to plan implementation of these proposals.
The UNFPA Regional Director Mr. Mabingue Ngom during the opening ceremony of the First African Summit on FGM and Child Marriage
Family photo after the meeting
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13.5 million girls and young women aged 10 to 19 at risk of early marriage
Mr. Wordofa commends Ivorian minister of solidarity, social cohesion and fight against poverty, Professor Mariatou Koné, Chair of SWEDD
Patron Ministers of the Sahel Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend in (SWEDD) project held a meeting on the theme: “Investing in Women’s Empowerment and Human Capital as a Development Strategy for Growth.” The meeting held on June 17, 2019, on the sidelines of the First African Summit on Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage co-organized by the governments of Senegal and The Gambia, in
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collaboration with the NGO Safe Hands For Girls, and with the support of UN agencies such as UNFPA, UN Women and the World Bank. During the meeting it was noted that 13.5 million girls and young women aged 10 to 19 at risk of early marriage. Seventy-five per cent (75%) of girls in the seven SWEDD countries, as well as three potentially eligible countries are equally at risk.
“If we want to overcome these [harmful] practices and fight poverty effectively, it is important to focus on education, create opportunities for girls and make sure they go to school,” stated Professor Mariatou Koné, Chairperson of the Project Steering Committee and Minister of Solidarity, Social Cohesion and Poverty Alleviation of Côte d’Ivoire. The meeting highlighted main challenges facing SWEDD countries, but also the successful practices and interventions implemented in the framework of the project to strengthen the level of empowerment of women and adolescents to accelerate the demographic transition in the region, while reaffirming the commitment of States to accelerate growth in Africa. Given that the achievement of the demographic dividend is not automatic, its realization requires the application of appropriate public policies and significant and strategic investments in human capital, especially through
access to family planning, and women’s education, changing social norms to reduce harmful practices that hinder women’s empowerment. The meeting was attended by the Vice President of The Gambia, the Minister of Women, Gender and Child Protection of Senegal, the Deputy Grand Iman of Al Azhar Al Sharif of Egypt, the Director General of Safe Hands For Girls, along with financial and technical partners, Director of Operations of the World Bank, and the UNFPA Regional Director for West and Center Africa. A number of countries are lined up to join the SWEDD initiative. In view of the growing interest, a round table conference on resource mobilization is also planned on July 6 in Niamey on the sidelines of the African Union Summit, under the patronage of President of the Republic of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou.
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Visit of health post of Wakhinane Nimzat, in Guédiawaye in the suburbs of Dakar.
Mr. Dereje Wordofa during a field visit to Guediawaye health centre, in the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal
During the visit to Guediawaye’s health centre, the Deputy Executive Director met with adolescent girls on issues that concerns them, including Female Genital Mutilation and early marriage.
schools by parents to be given out for marriage. Child marriage is a fundamental violation of children’s rights, risking their lives and health and compromising their future and welfare.
“Talking about FGM and child marriage was a taboo, even when adults were talking to us on these subjects we wouldn’t dare responding. Normally we just listen to them quietly.” said Fatou Bintou, president of the girls club from Kolda region. Each year, dozens of girls from 12 to 15 years are withdrawn from
“There are many cases of child marriage. I witnessed the case of a close friend of mine, aged 16, who was given in marriage by her family members. She refused, and her family abandoned her. She eventually accepted and she experiences the worst forms of abuse from her husband today, “says Fatou.
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During a visit to a health facility in Guediawaye, in the outskirts of Dakar he met and interacted with health workers and patrons of sexual and reproductive health services. Here he interacted with young mothers who had come to the health facility to access family planning products and services. Among them was a mother of six, who got married age 18. She is now a beneficiary of modern contraceptives, and she could not hide her joy. Dereje Wordofa also remarked the growing youth activism across the region. “They are not only bringing change to the communities and to young people in Senegal, but also across Africa. Particularly, how their campaign is helping young girls in neighbouring
Burkina Faso. Their best practices and ideas need to be shared across the continent,� he added. As UNFPA commemorates 50 years of its existence and 25 years since the first International Conference on Population Development (ICPD), the Agency remains at the forefront in championing the rights of women and girls to sexual and reproductive choices. It has played a pivotal role in public education campaigns on sexual reproduction and provided contraceptives to women and girls. The Deputy Executive Director (has since OR since) continued since his visit to Guinea and Sierra Leone, as part of his tour of the region.
The Deputy Executive Director with adolescent girls from Kolda
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Patient explains to Mr. Dereje Wordofa her motivations for making family planning choices and the support she gets from the health centre
A nurse interacts with Mr. Dereje Wordofa, at the Guediawaye health centre
Mr. Dereje Wordofa listens with wrapt attention as family planning professional presents various services and products on offer to clients
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At the premises of the Guediawaye health center
During a media briefing at the side-lines of the summit on FGM and child marriage
In the media briefing Mr. Wordofa highlighted the key roles played by the various partners in the fight against FGM & child marriage
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Deputy ED hails staff dedicated contribution towards transformative agenda, SDGs
UNFPA regional and country office staff appreciated for dedicated and service to deliver on UNFPA’s mandate
On his maiden visit to Senegal and the regional office, Deputy Executive Director of the UNFPA Dereje Wordofa saluted regional and national staff for their excellent work and dedicated services in promoting reproduction choices for women and girls. Mr. Wordofa praised the crucial role played by the staff in ensuring that women and girls are provided with the right to make choices: determine their fertility, how many children to have, how frequent and at what spacing.
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“As I listen to you all, I get more energized,” Dereje told the staff. “You are part of that process of improving the lives of women and girls… you make tremendous contributions to achieving the SDGs,” he assured the staff. The DED met with the Regional Director and team of Advisors, on the strategic priorities of the region, before meeting with all staff of both the regional and country offices.
UN Country Team members during the meeting with UNFPA Deputy Executive Director
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Editorial Team: Publication director Mabingué Ngom Editor-in-chief Jacob Enoh Eben Associated Writers Céline Adotévi Habibou Dia Ndeye Diop Niang Aleke Ogbada Junior Benjamin Piorgah Tetteh Ramatoulaye Mbacké Photography Youri Lenquette Edition & Layout Agence Takander Bakary Kamara
United Nations Population Fund UNFPA WCARO - West and Central Africa Regional Office
Immeuble Wolle Ndiaye, Almadies
P.O. Box: 21090 Dakar-Ponty SENEGAL wcaro.unfpa.org
@UNFPA_WCARO
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