30th July, 2021 – Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: The Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development – H.E. Amira Elfadil conducted a courtesy visit and dialogue with His Excellency Roch Marc Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso and African Union Champion on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation.

The meeting sought to recognize the Member State for its leadership and efforts to mobilise continental and global action on the elimination of female genital mutilation. Burkina Faso, working alongside African Union Member States, is driving the agenda on eliminating female genital mutilation. The country has introduced several United Nations resolutions, including UN HRC Resolution 44/16 on “Ending Female Genital Mutilation”. The resolution has classified female genital mutilation as a Human Rights violation, thus reinforcing the prioritization of its elimination by introducing this specific type of Gender Based Violence to new regional and global mechanisms and organs.

African Union Heads of State and Government, at their 32nd Ordinary Summit, adopted and launched the Saleema Initiative on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation through Assembly Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.737(XXXII). The Assembly also designated H.E. Roch March Christian Kaboré, President of Burkina Faso, as the African Union Champion on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation.

H.E. President Kaboré and Commissioner Elfadil discussed ongoing efforts by the African Union Commission to implement the Saleema Initiative. These included the adoption of a 5 year strategy for the initiative, as well as development of an African Union Accountability Framework on Eliminating Harmful Practices and drafting of a continental report on female genital mutilation.

The Commissioner also used the opportunity to recognise the Champion for his leadership, commending a recent engagement to convene young people from 13 regions in Burkina Faso to pass the torch and mobilise action to end harmful practices. H.E. Amira Elfadil recognised this as the kind of needed to transform the norms and gender inequalities that continue to perpetuate this harmful practice across the continent. She noted that the launch of the Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors programme by the African Union Commission in 2020 mirrors this commitment from the Champion. In addition, the Saleema Youth Victorious Ambassadors convene an Accountability Platform during the commemoration of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation – February 6th – that demonstrate the important role young people, particularly those most affected by harmful practices, can play in accelerating elimination efforts.

His Excellency, President Kabore, assured the Commissioner of his commitment to the agenda and welcomed the recognition of Burkina Faso’s efforts to end female genital mutilation. He called on African Union Member States to step up efforts that safeguard the girl child, and ensures a future where that unlocks their full potential. He committed Burkina Faso’s support to the African Union Commission’s efforts – particularly in his capacity as the Champion to eliminate the harmful practice.

On her part, Commissioner Elfadil reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to girls and women, noting the Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Department’s resolve to expand its programme and efforts on harmful practices. She recognised and appreciated the support of partners, including the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme with the United Nations and European Union, as well as the UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation, and the World Bank through the Sahel Women Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD) Africa Regional Project. In addition, she recommitted and assured the Champion of her Department’s support on his mandate.

The courtesy visit with the African Union Champion on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation comes on the heels of a meeting between Commissioner Elfadil and the Burkina Faso Minister of Women, National Solidarity, Family and Humanitarian Action, Honorable Hélène Marie Laurence Ilboudo Marchal on Juley 29th where they agreed on a collaborative effort to strengthen the harmful practices agenda.

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Jane Ong’olo, Head of Division, Social Welfare
Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Email: OngoloJM@africa-union.org

Soraya Addi, Lead communication Saleema Initiative
Department of Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development
Email: AddiS@africa-union.org