Leaders pose for a photo during a meeting at the British High Commission / HANDOUT

Global leaders and organisations working to protect girls have called for stronger political commitment, increased funding and greater accountability in efforts to end female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and child marriage.

Senior government officials, diplomats, multilateral organisations, funders, survivor leaders and civil society representatives met in Nairobi for the Justice for Girls: Leadership and Collective Action to End FGM/C and Child Marriage event.

The meeting brought together leaders from Africa, Asia and the wider global movement to strengthen collaboration among governments, communities and civil society as efforts towards 2030 intensify.

British High Commissioner to Kenya Matt Baugh said governments, civil society and communities must work together, with survivors at the centre of efforts to end the practices.

He said progress made in addressing FGM/C and child marriage was under threat from declining commitment and setbacks in the rights of women and girls.

“This is about nothing less than the lives and futures of millions of girls. All of whom have the right to live without fear of harm or abuse. We cannot afford to lose that momentum. We cannot afford to let another generation of young women and girls suffer these practices,” Baugh said.

The discussions focused on the need for political accountability and sustained resources to ensure commitments made by governments and international institutions translate into action.

Principal Secretary in the State Department for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe said stakeholders must protect the gains already made in the fight against harmful practices.

“We must safeguard the gains we have made and build on the progress we have made to achieve our ultimate goal of equality. The challenges are formidable, but we cannot afford complacency; we cannot sit back,” Wang’ombe said.

She also highlighted the link between FGM/C and health, noting that many maternal deaths occur among women and girls who have undergone FGM/C or been forced into early marriage.

Survivor leaders and grassroots organisations also called for greater involvement in shaping policies, priorities, funding and accountability mechanisms.

African Women’s Rights Advocates co-founder and West Africa Coordinator Mamlisa Camara said Africa has the leadership and knowledge required to address the practices but needs greater political support.

“As an African women’s rights Advocate (AWRA), I believe Africa does not lack the leadership, knowledge or courage to end the injustices facing our girls. What we need is the political will to back that leadership with resources and action,” Camara said.

She said efforts to advance justice for girls should be African-led, survivor-centred and rooted in the realities of communities.

The meeting also focused on the distribution of resources to organisations working directly with affected communities.

The organisers said survivor-led and grassroots organisations have called for funding that is larger, better coordinated and more accessible to frontline movements.

Equality Now East and Central Africa Associate Director Judy Gitau said governments have a responsibility to translate laws into practice and strengthen investment in community-led solutions.

She said governments should allocate resources, strengthen multisectoral action and invest in survivor leadership and community-led solutions.

“The gains we have made against FGM and Child marriage are significant, yet they are under constant threat. Holding the line is no longer enough. Ending FGM in a generation demands that we move from defence to decisive action,” Gitau said.

The meeting also highlighted the Her Horizon Fund, which is intended to support frontline organisations working to end FGM/C.

The fund seeks to mobilise $100 million from bilateral, philanthropic and corporate donors, with survivors and activists expected to play a role in shaping its strategic direction and grantmaking.

The wider Justice for Girls programme brought together survivors, grassroots organisations, governments, funders, activists, researchers and other partners to focus on movement building, funding, accountability and collective action.

The programme included a global convening in Naivasha, where participants launched “Unstoppable: Our Movement-led Collective Vision for Ending FGM/C”, a five-year roadmap developed by survivors, grassroots organisations, funders and policymakers.

Orchid Project CEO Anush Aghabalyan said the roadmap was developed to give the movement a shared direction and strengthen collective action.

She said the roadmap brings together the experiences and ambitions of survivors, activists, frontline organisations, funders and policymakers.

The leaders said ending FGM/C and child marriage will require sustained collaboration between governments, diplomatic missions, survivor-led organisations, funders, UN agencies and civil society.