Consultative meeting recommends drafting a law criminalizing FGM and underage marriage

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Health and Population and in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), HUMAN ACCESS in Aden Governorate organized a consultative meeting on adopting a national strategy to end and criminalize the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Yemen by 2030.

The meeting, attended by 30 participants from official bodies and civil society organizations, recommended drafting a law criminalizing female genital mutilation and underage marriage.

Additionally, the meeting emphasized the need to launch awareness campaigns to minimize the risks associated with these phenomena that pose long-term negative physical, psychological, and social consequences.

In the meeting, held within the project to combat FGM, the Director General of Women's Development at the Ministry of Public Health and Population, Dr. Zainab Al-Qaisi, stressed the importance of cooperation between government agencies and civil society to combat the phenomenon of female genital mutilation and mitigate such wrong practices.

Meanwhile, the UNFPA Gender Officer in Aden, Ms. Elizabeth Kigen, highlighted the need for more cooperation between government agencies and civil society organizations, and expressed appreciation for the work of HUMAN ACCESS in adopting the national strategy to eradicate and criminalize FGM and protect girls from these dangerous practices.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Human Rights, the Yemeni Women's Union, and civil society organizations.