About

At the 32nd Ordinary Session of the AU Heads of State and Government Assembly, Heads of States adopted Assembly/AU/Dec.737(XXXII) on “Galvanizing Political Commitment Towards the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation in Africa”. The decision endorsed the AU’s Initiative on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation – the Saleema Initiative, and designated Burkina Faso as the African Union Champion on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation.The role of the champion is to provide leadership and agenda visibility across the continent, and mobilise action among their peers and Member States at regional and continental level. Since 2019, the AU Champion on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation has presented two reports to the AU Heads of State and Government Assembly, leading to two AU Decisions on Female Genital Mutilation, including Decision 1 and Decision 2.

The African Union Saleema Initiative on Eliminating Female Genital Mutilation aims to change the negative social norms which Female Genital Mutilation is rooted in. It looks to mobilise, recognise and amplify Member State led efforts. The approach is holistic and considers this harmful practice a result of social, political, economic and anthropological contexts specific to affected the communities and countries. The Commission believes that it is only through enhancing the cognitive social capital of communities as a whole, and individuals, that Female Genital Mutilation will be abandoned.

The Saleema Initiative works toaccelerate actions that ensure every African girl can grow to maturity in her natural and original form: Complete, Unharmed, Saleema. It is based on the premise that FGM is rooted in negative gender, social norms and contexts and therefore the power to abandon the practice resides with families and communities. The focus is not on what communities ‘need to give up’ but rather on “what they stand to gain by changing”. Only people-driven change can effectively end the practice. A distinctive feature is the use of strong and positive communication techniques and approaches, affirming important cultural values, while building aspiration for change, and empowering communities to create an environment conducive to a positive decision making process, leading to a cultural shifts regarding this harmful practice.