Ye Ethiopia Goji Limdawi Digitouch Aswogaj Mahiber (EGLDAM) – the former National Committee on Traditional Practices (HTPs) of Ethiopia – NCTPE launched the follow-up survey on Harmful Traditional Practices in Ethiopia on the 24th of June 2008 at a ceremony held at the UNECA conference centre here in Addis Ababa.
The survey is financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign affairs within its collaboration with Norwegian Save the Children, which also includes other types of activities geared towards the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) from Ethiopia.
26/06/2008 ::
Representatives’ of government ministries, UN agencies and civil society organisations were present on the occasion. Among the speakers was HE Jens –Petter Kjemprud Ambassador of Norway to Ethiopia who expressed his delight with the significant decrease in the prevalence of FGM in most parts of the country as shown in the survey. “We are proud to be part of this success story”, he said. He also pointed out that the findings call for more work in Afar and Somali regions where FGM is still widely practiced.
The survey is a follow-up to the 1997 baseline Survey which was also financed by Norway with the objective of examining/measuring changes and recommending strategies for the future.
Ethiopia is one of four countries mentioned in the Norwegian International Action Plan for Combating Female Genital Mutilation. Norway has provided more than 100, 000,000.- ETB for such efforts in Ethiopia between the years 2005-2010 through Save the Children Norway and Norwegian Church Aid Ethiopian offices.