End term review of the Strategic Partnership on female genital mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices (HTPs) in Ethiopia

Background   
The Norwegian International Action Plan on Combating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was launched in 2003, and Ethiopia was identified as a pilot country. Following this, Save the Children, Norway (SCN-E) and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) submitted a joint proposal for a 3 year project from the end of 2005 through 2008, to scale up their projects on FGM and Harmful Traditional Practices (HTP). An agreement was signed in November 2005.

In 2006 the Embassy formulated its own action plan on FGM, suggesting how the International Action Plan could best be translated into the Ethiopian context. Increased support to local, Norwegian and international NGOs was suggested, and it was recommended that priority should be given to projects with a community based approach. A particular focus should be on regions where the consequences of the cutting are most severe, such as the Afar and Somali region. In order to reduce the burden of work on the Embassy staff, it was suggested that a Norwegian NGO could be identified to facilitate coordination, reporting and follow up. On this background, the Embassy opted for SCN-E as a coordinating partner, and a contract was signed in December 2006 for a period of four years.

Purpose/objective   
 - Assess the overall performance of the Partnership
 - Assess the role of SCN-E as a strategic partner
 - Coming up with feasible recommendations for improved performance in Phase II

Methodology   
Review of documents
Key informant interviews
Focus group discussions
Visits to the relevant organizations in Addis
Field visits to selected sites
Undertake debriefings

Key findings   
The overall impression of the Review Team is that the changes taking place on the ground are impressive. As documented by the partners, there is no doubt that the incidence of FGM and other harmful traditional practices in the project areas visited has been substantially reduced during the last few years. All the partners are working in line with most of principles recognized internationally.

There are, however, still potentials for strengthening the sharing of experiences, problem solving and drawing on the comparative strengths of the various partners within the Partnership, as well as other actors working in the field of FGM. Furthermore, ways of ensuring sustainability of the achievements should be considered.
Recommendations   
 The potentials for increasing the efforts in the Somali region should be further explored.

 As domestic violence related to alcohol abuse is frequently reported to be a severe problem, this could be addressed in the community conversations in a more comprehensive way, as an ‘agenda point’.

 For Phase II, it is recommended that a tripartite agreement between SCN-E, NCA and the Embassy is signed. If the Embassy prefers to relate to one partner only, the coordinating role of SCN-E should be clearly spelled out and discussed between the two partners and the Embassy.

 For Phase II, it is suggested that the responsibility for capacity building measures needed, as well as looking for possible synergies, linkages and experience sharing, could be the shared responsibility of SCN-E and NCA.

Comments from the organisation, if any   
Recommendations from the Review Team have considered during the preparations of the proposal to the Embassy for the second phase of the programme.