By Zamzam Osman - Reporter
Djibouti, 25 January 2026 Djibouti’s government reaffirmed its commitment to ending female genital mutilation (FGM) on Sunday, as senior officials and international partners met to strengthen coordination and prevention efforts against the practice.
The meeting, held at the People’s Palace, was chaired by the Minister of Women and Family, Mouna Osman Aden, and brought together members of the national coordinating committee tasked with combating FGM. Representatives from several government ministries and international partners, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), took part.
FGM, a traditional practice that violates the physical and psychological integrity of girls and women, remains a serious human rights concern. Authorities say it has long-term consequences for health, well-being and dignity.
“In Djibouti, the fight against female genital mutilation is a national priority enshrined in public policy,” the Ministry of Women and Family said in a statement. The country has adopted laws banning the practice, supported by child protection policies and initiatives promoting women’s rights.
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Several state institutions are involved in enforcement and prevention, including the ministries of health, justice, education, women and family affairs, as well as the police, the National Union of Djiboutian Women and the Constitutional Court. Since 2024, cross-sector coordination has been strengthened to improve the monitoring and effectiveness of interventions, officials said.
Despite what authorities described as “significant progress” in recent years, the government stressed the need for sustained mobilisation at the community level to bring about lasting changes in social norms.
In her address, Aden outlined three key priorities: strengthening prevention through education and community awareness, particularly among parents, young people and opinion leaders; improving medical, psychological, legal and social care for victims; and reinforcing institutional coordination and partnerships with civil society and development partners.
Djibouti’s legal framework against female genital mutilation was reinforced last year through a constitutional revision that explicitly enshrined the fight against FGM in the Constitution, underscoring the government’s stated commitment to protecting the rights and well-being of girls and women.
