April 9, 2026

NEWA and UNICEF Ethiopia Strengthen United Front Against FGM and Child Marriage Addis Ababa, April 8, 2026 — The Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA), in partnership with UNICEF Ethiopia, successfully concluded a two-day intensive project review meeting held in Addis Ababa from April 7–8, 2026. The meeting focused on accelerating efforts to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Child Marriage (CM), and Violence Against Children through strengthened collaboration and community-driven action. The event brought together women-led associations, government representatives, and development partners, serving as a strategic platform to reinforce grassroots leadership in addressing harmful traditional practices. Opening the meeting, Saba G/Medhin, Executive Director of NEWA, delivered a strong call to action, emphasizing the importance of empowering grassroots, women-led associations to lead transformative change within their communities. She highlighted the need to address resistance in regions such as Somali by engaging religious leaders, drawing on NEWA’s successful experience in the Afar region. She also expressed deep appreciation to UNICEF Ethiopia for its continued support and acknowledged the critical role of government and community structures in fostering collective impact. Zemzem Shikur, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Ethiopia, presented key global and national data on FGM and child marriage, along with performance indicators. She commended the efforts of NEWA and its partners and emphasized the importance of accelerating measurable progress in line with international standards. The meeting also featured a session led by Azmera Kassahun, who introduced the concept of “Positive Masculinity,” encouraging the active involvement of men and boys as allies in eliminating harmful practices. In addition, we outlined a strategic roadmap for the project’s final phase, set to conclude in October 2026, with a strong focus on expanding community-level impact through mass mobilization initiatives such as marketplace campaigns, school clubs, and community caravans, while also prioritizing the revitalization of anti-FGM structures by linking civil society organizations with traditional and religious platforms like Iddir and Eqqub. Representatives from the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending FGM, child marriage, and other harmful traditional practices. Regional delegates shared field-level experiences, highlighting both progress achieved and persistent challenges. The meeting also emphasized the importance of documenting “Most Significant Change” stories to capture community-level impact and ensure sustainability. Participants further stressed the need to integrate and support youth-led initiatives within existing government systems. Success stories from partner organizations showcased tangible progress on the ground, reinforcing confidence in ongoing efforts. To safeguard these achievements, NEWA’s finance and program teams underscored the importance of strict donor compliance and safeguarding protocols to ensure transparency, accountability, and the protection of children. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, scale up community engagement, and translate strategic discussions into meaningful and lasting impact.