The joint evaluation, conducted by the Evaluation Offices of UNFPA (lead agency) and UNICEF, assesses the programme contributions to outputs and outcomes during Phase III of the Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation (2018-2021). The evaluation provides evidence and lessons to inform the design of the Joint Programme post-Phase III to accelerate towards the Sustainable Development Goal target to end female genital mutilation (FGM) by 2030.

The evaluation finds that the Joint Programme continues to be a strategic and relevant response to the global issue of ending FGM. The Joint Programme has adapted effectively to COVID-19. The agility with which the programme has responded provides lessons for adapting to and understanding FGM within humanitarian settings. Yet, FGM receives insufficient consideration in humanitarian systems. The Joint Programme design is gender responsive, with a clear aspiration to move towards a gender-transformative approach, however, greater clarity is required to translate this approach to the country level.

Data collection methods

Among the several recommendations, the evaluation recommends the Joint Programme prioritize its global policy and advocacy work and should strategically strengthen the implementation of accountability systems. The Joint Programme should also advocate for fully funded national legal and policy frameworks, including addressing complex situations such as medicalization and cross-border FGM. A humanitarian approach should also be integrated within the post-Phase III Joint Programme design.

These lessons and evidence may also accelerate the implementation of the UNFPA strategic plan, 2022-2025, focused on ending gender-based violence and harmful practices against all women and girls, especially those that are furthest behind.

Further reads

Evaluation of Phase I and Phase II of the Joint Programme

The Evaluation Offices of UNAIDS (chair), UNFPA, UNESCO, UNHCR and ILO jointly managed an independent evaluation of the UN Joint Programme on AIDS on preventing and responding to violence against women and girls in all their diversity.

The evaluation assesses the Joint Programme’s accountability to end violence against women and girls and the bi-directional nature of violence against women and girls and HIV, where violence against women and girls can be an indirect and direct factor for increased HIV risk, and violence can be an outcome of HIV status and disclosure.

The evaluation combined global consultation and document review with nine in-depth country case studies. Of note, the evaluation set up a group of women in their diversity to guide the process, input into key deliverables, and be part of the in-country data collection. These were women well-networked nationally and/or embedded in national organizations of women living with HIV and/or national organizations addressing violence against women.

The evaluation found that the Joint Programme is supporting countries to work collaboratively to some extent with women’s and relevant civil society networks in addressing gender equality, HIV and violence against women and girls, however inadequate attention is given to transformative approaches to address the structural and root causes of gender inequality, HIV and violence against women and girls. 

The evaluation provides strategic and operational recommendations for the Joint Programme. Its evidence and lessons learned also contribute to the implementation of the UNFPA strategic plan, 2022-2025, and towards ending the AIDS epidemic and violence against women and girls.