Guinea-Bissau Advances a Collective Commitment to End Female Genital Mutilation
Guinea-Bissau has taken an important step towards protecting the rights of girls and women through the validation of the National Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan for the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 2026–2030.
Led by the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Solidarity through the National Committee for the Abandonment of Harmful Practices, and supported by the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation, more than 50 experts, policymakers, civil society representatives, community leaders and development partners gathered to review priorities, targets and implementation mechanisms for the new strategy.
FGM remains one of the most serious violations of the rights of girls and women. In Guinea-Bissau, more than half of women and girls aged 15–49 have undergone the practice. Even more concerning, evidence indicates that FGM is increasingly being performed at younger ages and in secrecy, including among infants. These trends highlight the need for stronger community engagement, improved protection services, greater awareness of the law and sustained investment in social norms change.
“Despite the progress achieved over the past years, including the adoption of the law criminalising FGM and numerous awareness-raising efforts led by public institutions, significant challenges remain,” said Yassenia Suad de Brito Arif Hibrahim, Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity.
The new Strategy responds to these challenges through a multisectoral approach focused on strengthening justice and law enforcement, integrating FGM prevention and response into health, education and social protection services, improving monitoring systems, and expanding community mobilisation efforts. It also reinforces Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which calls for the elimination of all harmful practices by 2030.
More than the validation of a policy document, the workshop represented a collective commitment to accelerate social change and ensure that every girl can grow up free from violence and harmful practices. During 2025, joint efforts have already reached 168 communities, and more than 83,000 people, including 32,000 girls and young women, while 1,500 FGM survivors received care through health services in several regions of the country.
“Ending female genital mutilation requires a united movement led by communities, supported by government institutions and sustained through strong partnerships. Through the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme, we remain committed to supporting Guinea-Bissau in accelerating collective action so that every girl can grow up safe, healthy and able to enjoy her rights without fear of harmful practices.” — Dr. Inoussa Kabore, UNICEF Representative, on behalf of the UNFPA–UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM.
The validation of the new strategy marks an important milestone in the country's journey towards a future where girls and women can fully realise their rights, dignity and potential.
