Female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C) is a deeply entrenched and harmful traditional practice involving the partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It constitutes a grave violation of human rights and gender equality, endangering the physical and psychological health of millions of girls and women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 200 million women and girls across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia have undergone FGM/C.
In recent years, Eritrea has continued to demonstrate strong national commitment and measurable progress toward eliminating this practice. A recent press conference held in Asmara underscored this dedication, calling for coordinated efforts to eradicate harmful practices – particularly FGM/C – and to safeguard the achievements already made. The event was led by Ms. Tekea Tesfamicael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW), alongside representatives from UN offices in Eritrea. Participants highlighted that the visit of the Global Steering Committee on FGM/C to Eritrea marks a significant milestone, drawing international attention to the country’s progress while facilitating the exchange of experiences with other nations.
Members of the Committee commended Eritrea’s long-standing efforts – dating back to the armed struggle for independence – to eliminate harmful practices. They emphasized that the 2007 national proclamation banning FGM/C, combined with the active involvement of religious leaders, communities, and development partners, provides strong evidence that the practice can be eradicated entirely by 2030.
The Committee also called for continued coordination, awareness-raising, research-based information sharing, technical support, and enhanced community engagement to sustain the momentum already achieved. During their visit to Keren and Hagaz in the Anseba Region, accompanied by representatives from the Ministries of Health, Labor and Social Welfare, and NUEW, the delegation witnessed firsthand the ongoing community-led initiatives and progress made toward eliminating FGM/C. This renewed international recognition offers a timely reminder of Eritrea’s journey and achievements in eradicating FGM/C. In this area, the country has made remarkable headway through legislative action, education, and community mobilization.
Historically, FGM/C has been widespread in Eritrea, cutting across socioeconomic, ethnic, linguistic, and religious boundaries. Like in many societies, the practice was sustained by patriarchal norms and cultural beliefs linking it to femininity, purity, modesty, and social acceptance. It was regarded as a rite of passage, preparing girls for womanhood and marriage while ensuring premarital virginity and marital fidelity. Despite the absence of any religious endorsement, misconceptions led some to believe the practice had spiritual or moral justification falsely. Deeply rooted social pressures and fear of exclusion further reinforced its continuation, making comprehensive and culturally sensitive strategies essential for change.
A significant milestone in Eritrea’s fight against FGM/C was the enactment of Legal Proclamation No. 158 in 2007, which outlawed the practice in all its forms. The law imposes strict penalties, including heavy fines and prison sentences, not only on practitioners but also on those who incite, facilitate, or conceal such acts. This legislation reflects Eritrea’s firm stance against gender-based violence and its dedication to protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of women and girls. Notably, efforts to end FGM/C in Eritrea predate independence: during the liberation struggle, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) initiated early measures to raise awareness and discourage the practice within liberated areas.
Recognizing that legal prohibition alone cannot end FGM/C, Eritrea has also placed strong emphasis on education, advocacy, and community dialogue. In collaboration with NUEW, the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS), and international partners, the government has led extensive nationwide awareness campaigns. These initiatives have engaged community and faith leaders, educators, youth groups, healthcare workers, and survivors to foster open conversations challenging traditional beliefs and dismantling myths surrounding FGM/C. They have also focused on raising public understanding of the legal, health, and human rights implications of the practice.
To ensure sustainable change, Eritrea has also established community-based committees in all regions, working alongside health and social welfare professionals. These committees provide psychosocial counselling, sexual and reproductive health services, and support for survivors while promoting positive behavioural change. Additionally, FGM/C education has been integrated into school curricula, empowering younger generations with accurate knowledge and nurturing progressive, gender-sensitive mindsets. This approach ensures that the fight against FGM/C becomes part of the social fabric and educational foundation of future citizens.
Eritrea’s comprehensive strategy has yielded tangible, data-backed results. Since 2014, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, and NUEW, with support from international partners, have conducted FGM/C mapping studies to monitor trends and measure impact. Findings have been striking: FGM/C prevalence among girls under 15 dropped from 18.2 percent in 2014 to 2.3 percent in 2020, while among girls under five, the rate fell from 6.9 percent to just 0.54 percent over the same period. Compared with the 2010 Eritrean Population and Health Survey, which reported 33.2 percent prevalence among girls under 15 and 12.4 percent among girls under five, this represents an extraordinary reduction in just a decade.
Moreover, attitudes are shifting dramatically. Increasing numbers of communities have publicly declared the abandonment of FGM/C, and both men and women are now more aware of its dangers, actively advocating for its total eradication. Eritrea’s experience demonstrates that lasting change requires an integrated approach combining legislation, education, grassroots mobilization, and international cooperation. The country’s progress, now reinforced by renewed partnerships and global recognition, offers valuable lessons for other nations confronting similar challenges.
The recent engagement with the Global Steering Committee on FGM/C reinforces that Eritrea’s anti-FGM/C program is not only nationally owned but also internationally acknowledged as a model of progress. Continued investment in community empowerment, information sharing, and technical collaboration will be vital to achieving the complete eradication of FGM/C by 2030. Eritrea’s ongoing fight against FGM/C is both a national success story and a human rights milestone. Through strong laws, persistent education, community participation, and collaboration with international partners, the country has achieved a remarkable transformation in attitudes, practices, and outcomes.