SPECIAL BULLETIN ETHIOPIA RECEIVES 2024 UN POPULATION AWARD ACTIONAID ETHIOPIA RECOGNIZED
The Ethiopian National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage, under the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA), has been honored with the 2024 United Nations Population Award for the efforts against child marriage and FGM/C. This prestigious award, established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 is presented to individuals and institutions that have made outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health.
On July 12, 2024, the MOWSA delegation, led by the Honorable Ergogie Tesfaye (PhD), attended the award ceremony at the UN headquarters in New York. The Ethiopian National Alliance was recognized in the “Institution” category for its exceptional efforts in raising awareness and implementing solutions to end child marriage and FGM/C. The award highlights the Alliance's significant contributions to addressing population issues and promoting reproductive health.
Ethiopian National Alliance & Strategic Partnership
The Ethiopian National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation & Child Marriage serves as a strategic partnership and coordination platform, bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders. These include government institutions, civic associations, research institutions, religious organizations, UN agencies, and various development partners. The initiative for the Alliance was launched in 2011, following a strategic workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, which aimed to end child marriage. This event saw the participation of over 55 grassroots and global organizations, including prominent figures such as Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Mrs. Graça Machel, Mrs. Mary Robinson, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Roadmap and Collective Actions
To guide its coordinated efforts, the Alliance developed a comprehensive roadmap for the period of 2020-2024. ActionAid Ethiopia (AAE), a key member of the Alliance, has supported various collective actions. These include organizing high-level engagements with religious leaders, supporting national learning and linking platforms, and conducting budget tracking exercises to assess budget allocations at national and subnational levels. AAE’s efforts have been particularly notable under The Girl Generation: Africa-led movement towards ending FGM/C, which commenced in 2022.
Recognition Ceremony in Addis Ababa
Following the recognition and award at the UN Headquarters, MOWSA, in collaboration with Alliance members, organized a high-level event on August 21, 2024, in Addis Ababa to extend the recognition to Alliance members. The event was attended by standing committee members of parliament, the Minister of MOWSA, senior officials from UN agencies, and representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs). During the ceremony, ActionAid Ethiopia was acknowledged for its commitment and support and was awarded a certificate of appreciation.
The recognition ceremony also featured an engaging gallery walk, where member organizations showcased their work and contributions towards ending FGM/C and child marriage. This event not only celebrated the achievements of the Alliance but also reinforced the collective commitment to these crucial causes.
The 2024 United Nations Population Award is a testament to Ethiopia's unwavering efforts to combat child marriage and FGM/C. Through the collaborative efforts of the Ethiopian National Alliance to End Female Genital Mutilation & Child Marriage and its partners, significant steps have been made in protecting the rights and well-being of girls and women across the country.
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