Villages in Logo-Anseba Declared Free of FGM

Barentu, 01 June 2026 – Twenty-two villages in 13 administrative areas of Logo-Anseba sub-zone have been declared free of female genital mutilation at a ceremony organized on 30 May. The event was attended by Ambassador Mahmud Ali Hirui, Governor of Gash Barka Region; Ms. Tekea Tesfamicael, President of the National Union of Eritrean Women; Ambassador Mahmud Ali Jabra, Secretary of the PFDJ in the region; as well as representatives of UNICEF and UNFPA.

Mr. Abraham Hagos, administrator of the sub-zone, reported on the efforts carried out to eradicate female genital mutilation at the sub-zonal level in collaboration with committees established in the sub-zone to eradicate harmful practices and with partners. He said that an assessment had been conducted to ensure that female genital mutilation is no longer practiced in all administrative areas. He also called on residents and institutions to ensure continuous monitoring and support for the sustainability of the achievement.

Noting that strong efforts have been made to eradicate harmful practices, Mr. Tesfagebriel Gebreselasie, acting head of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in the sub-zone, said that many women had been victims of the practice. He went on to say that, as a result of sustainable awareness-raising activities conducted since 2018 in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Labor and Social Welfare, as well as the National Union of Eritrean Women, the prevalence of the practice has significantly declined. He added that the declaration of the sub-zone as free of female genital mutilation is the result of those efforts.

The event was highlighted by cultural programs depicting the occasion.