A conference on Female Genital Mutilation/Circumcision (FGM/C) has recommended the set-up of an African Coordinating Centre on Research and Training for ending FGM/C.  The rationale for The African Centre for Research and Leadership Training for the Abandonment of FGM/C would be to support strengthening of leadership and research capacity of FGM/C issues in Africa by creating a network platform for researchers based in African countries. A taskforce was constituted to discuss the scope of the Centre as well as feasibility for set-up and links with other countries in the region where the practice is prevalent. The Centre is to be based at the University of Nairobi.

The “International Conference on Research, Healthcare and Preventive Measures for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and Support for Capacity Strengthening Of Leadership and Research in Africa” was held in Nairobi between the 17^th to 19^th October 2011. The primary purpose was to review existing knowledge and identify knowledge gaps with regards to the health consequences of FGM/C and their treatment, as well as a review of community based interventions against FGM/C and their efficacy.

Stakeholders at the conference reiterated that FGM/C is a grave human rights violation and public health problem therefore the impetus to fight the vice has to be maintained. The participants (including GIZ) convened in a 3 days’ workshop to share lessons and best practices from countries across Africa, Europe, and Australia and to forge a way forward for generating evidence on FGM. It was revealed that much funding has gone into the area of fighting FGM, though there is need to generate evidence on models that work across countries.

The Australian Government affirmed its commitment in joining partners in promoting maternal and child health where fighting FGM is included. Various speakers highlighted the dangers of ‘medicalizing’ FGM/C as done in many countries where Kenya is ranked as the third highest, a concern shared by many across the globe. Colleagues from Western and Northern African countries such as Senegal and Mali discussed the complications and treatment options associated with FGM/C as well as interventions that could be replicated by other countries.

Other best practices shared were from Norway where anti-FGM strategies had been linked to other life skills interventions within education institutions and communities as well as strategies for long-term psychosocial care for women at risk of FGM or suffering from the effects of FGM.

A cross-cutting theme during the entire conference was the role of culture and social norms in either affirming the FGM practice or its abandonment. Stakeholders agreed that for a long time, lack of understanding and interrogating the structure of culture has slowed down the pace of ending FGM in many communities.

Other key discussions were on the new Act prohibiting FGM in Kenya where the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development has been mandated by an Act of Parliament to constitute a Board that will oversee the Act’s Implementation.

The German Development Cooperation through GIZ Health Sector Programme has for the last 15 years supported the Kenyan Government in the fight against FGM. GIZ is currently focusing on supporting the government in policy reforms and implementation. Of key importance will be to support the government of Kenya in implementing the recently accented Act on FGM Prohibition in Kenya. GIZ is currently working on a publication that provides a bibliography of literature on FGM work in Kenya over the last 10 years and will disseminate the knowledge among stakeholders in Kenya and internationally.

The Conference was hosted by the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Kenya. The United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) and the University of Sydney (Australia) sponsored the conference, in collaboration with The World Health Organization Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (WHO/HRP), The International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH) - Ghent University (Belgium), and the University of Washington (USA).

You may download the conference programme here: FGM Conference Programme Nairobi October 2011

You may view Kenya’s Prohibition on FGM Act here: FGM Act