NCA Ethiopia and Partners engagement in Abandoning HTPs_FGM in Ethiopia Review of 9 partners contribution (2002-2008)

Background:
Ethiopia has a very high number of beneficial traditional practices, in child rearing and care and in traditional medicine for example. It has also a large number of harmful traditional practices (HTPs). NCTPE/EGLDAM surveys have inventoried some 50 major HTP. Of these, five– Female genital mutilation, Uvula Cutting (UC), Milk-Teeth Extraction (MTE), Early marriage (EM) and marriage by Abduction(MBA) - have been identified as priority HTPs because they are pan- Ethiopian and affect a large proportion of the population.
FGM reflects the diversity of Ethiopia with high national prevalence with varied degrees of prevalence rates across the ethnic and regions. The age at mutilation also varies by ethnic groups. Most undergo type I and II (or clitoridectomy and excision) while others, for example Afar, Somali, Berta and some Oromo groups practice infibulations i.e. extensive excision and sewing of the vaginal interotius.
NCA works in a comprehensive and partnership- oriented way through churches and church-based, faith-based and value based organizations. The basis of the Norwegian policy on FGM is promotion and protection of the human rights of girls and women victims or potential victims of genital mutilation. An understanding of gender relations in a broad socio-economic and religious context underpins Norwegian effort in the fight against FMG/C through measures taken to secure an integrated, interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral approach in the work against the practice. Ethiopia is a pilot country for Norwegian FGM/C action.
NCA-E has started to work on HTPs as part of gender and RH related issues in first (phase I). Since2002 (Phase II), Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) (pilot) projects were launched in Amhara, SNNPR and Somali regions with funding from NORAD. In 2005 (Phase III), the program was further strengthened with financial assistance from the Norwegian Embassy through the strategic partnership with Save the Children-Norway. In this review; however; only 9 partners work has been reviewed (2002 -2008) to document the overall contribution in the area so far and lessons learned.

Purpose/Objective:
The assignment was to review and document NCA and 9 NCA partners’ experience and contribution in abandoning HTPs in general but giving special emphasis to FGM (2002-2008).

Methodology:
Large amount of national, project documents (activity and progress reports) which were made available by NCA and the 9 partner organizations reviewed. Field visits; interviews at partners’ head offices, branches and project sites were also undertaken. In the process a large number of people were participated in focus group discussions.  In some areas interviews were made with government officials and offices (eg. Women Affairs Office). A number of publications related to or by NCA, Norwegian government and partners were also reviewed to complement and/or amplify findings from the document reviews and field visits. An important source of information, in the connection, was the EGLDAM Baseline and Follow up Surveys has been used to illustrate changes in the project areas in the absence of baseline information.

Key findings: The anti-FGM campaign has come a long way. FGM is no more a taboo subject limited only to considerations at the domestic level. It has become a subject of public debate from the grassroots (e.g. CC) to the national levels. Awareness of the harm and support to its elimination have grown dramatically. Conducive and explicit legislations have been promulgated at various levels and, through the CC approach; efforts are being made to anchor them into the social norms of the communities. CC is being widely introduced to empower communities make their considered decisions against the practice.

Innovative measures have been taken to give visibility to those who have openly stood against the practice. Though still in a relatively isolated pockets, there are now examples of communities who have abandoned the practice. While it is not possible to attribute fully these changes to the effort of NCA and its partners alone, it is clear that, at least in the specific project areas, they have contributed quite substantially to these gains.

To its NGO/FBO partners, NCA is perceived as a reliable, well established, trustworthy and highly supportive partner. It is clear that it neither sees itself nor is it perceived as solely a funding agency. It closely monitors and supports its partners’ projects without being intrusive. It has well-established capacity development programs and uses various forums to foster sharing and learning from each other’s experience. It is thus a true partner flexibly nurturing its relationship and, often, leveraging the partners’ grassroots. Its long term and steady presence in spite of the upheavals in the country has established it as time tested and trustworthy partner with backlog of successes and steadfastness which augur well in the future. It has been able to adapt to the diversities of the Ethiopian situation by developing divers partners by adopting varied approaches to reach the unreachable and the marginalised with flexible but reliable support.
While the above achievements and positive trends should be appreciated, the remaining challenges to abandoning of FGM should not be underestimated:

The experiences accumulated by NCA and its partners in particular KMG in the areas of CC which is dominant approach used for behavioral change is impressive. As a community empowering approach, some diversity among partners in methods and processes should be anticipated and are probably a mark of real community based approach. However, as the anti-FGM struggle intensifies, the strengths and weaknesses of these evolving implementation differences should be gauged and the lessons for future development drawn.

There are repeated indications in Somali and Afar a trend to move from infibulations to what are considered less severe types of cut misleadingly termed ‘sunna’. Among the Erbore too, trend to move from the traditional excessive cutting and scraping to minimal cutting. However, the current status merits heightened attention because of the wider social movement implied with some religious leaders overtly advocating for the shift. Some activists seem also to see the shift to ‘sunna’ as an acceptable transition strategy.

NCA anti-FGM partners are quite numerous and spread all over the country. While the merits of this in terms of widely perceived presence is undeniable. However; there is risk of thinly spreading of resources.
Recommendations: NCA anti-FGM partners are quite numerous and spread all over the country. While the merits of this in terms of widely perceived presence is undeniable, there is the risk of tiny spreading resources which needs due consideration with long term commitment, with clear exist strategy. Establish Close follow up mechanism for community conversation, and asses its quality, sustainability and its impact. Trend to move from Infibulation to ‘Sunna’ merits heightened attention.

Comment for Follow-up:
- Strengthen partners follow up and documentation skill of community conversation.
- NCA has engaged national level consultation with top Muslim leaders in partnership with Islamic Supreme Council to enable them come up with clear message on the issue of ‘Sunna’.
- Rapid assessment on the role of evangelical churches on FGM conducted; more than 500 leaders engaged in the theological reflections. The Theological reflection document has been published and distributed. Moreover; based on the reflection ECFE has issued 5 points position statement and publicly declared; officially also submitted to the government. The declaration has been widely distributed to more than 13,000 congregations.
- Efforts will be continued to ensure better funding with long term commitment. 
- NCA will strengthen and scale up its engagement with FBO partners with renewed strategic direction.