The Sustainable Development Goal 5 can be achieved by 2030? A Review study on Intervention to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation in African Countries

Abstract

Female genital mutilation is gender-based violence performed to a female that involve partial or total removal of the female genital organs. The practice globally recognized as a public health problem that affects women and Children’s lives. The United Nations, through the Sustainable Development Goal 5, calls for the Worldwide action on the elimination of all harmful traditional practices affecting women and children by 2030. The current study aimed at examining and proposing the most effective approaches for the intervention for the elimination of female genital mutilation to supports attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal 5.3. The study employed document analysis method in collecting its data. The author uses the World Health Organization, the United Nations Children's Fund, and the United Nations Population Fund reports and published documents, other relevant literature and theoretical justification for examining the most useful interventions for the elimination of female genital mutilation in Africa. Study finding revealed that Inclusive programs, formal and informal education, economic empowerment of women, the use of alternative rites of passage and revision of female genital mutilation laws are potential approaches in the fight against female genital mutilation. The study concluded that fight against female genital mutilation needs collaboration of multiple strategies and multiple actors. The active and serious cooperation of actors will accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 5 by 2030.