Addis Ababa, 17 February 2015 (WIC) – Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said Ethiopia will realize the target set to end harmful traditional practices including female genital mutilation (FGM) before 2025, the deadline set to meet the goal. While discussing with visiting Danish Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth Donaldson yesterday, Hailemariam said Ethiopia has been working to meet the target to end FGM and child marriage by 2025 FGM and harmful traditional practices are “significantly” dropping in the country following concerted efforts exerted during the past years, he added. Girls and women are victims of harmful traditional practices in every part of the country because of the attitude of societies towards these practices. Since increasing knowledge of societies is important to change this reality, the government will continue its efforts to raise their awareness, Hailemariam said.
Crown Princess Donaldson for her part appreciated implementation of relevant instruments such as strategy, legal frameworks and bills that help to fight these practices in Ethiopia. Appreciating the efforts exerted to make the society part of the solution, she said this could be exemplary to other countries.
Ethiopia has managed to halve the rate for FGM and Child marriage between 2000 and 2013. FGM rate has decreased to 23 percent in 2013 from 52 percent in 2000, while child marriage reduced to 8 percent from 32 percent. The country will realize the target to end these practices by 2025, if it continues with the current pace, said Haileleul Seyoum, Women and Youth Mobilization and Participation Director at the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth. The government’s commitment and efforts being exerted to make the society part of the solution by raising awareness, and improved cooperation with partners contributed for the success gained in the area, according to Haileleul.
