FGM and child marriage attitudes, norms and practices in Afar and Somali regions: Midline findings

The Ethiopian government is committed to ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. The country has a strong legal framework, which outlawed both practices two decades ago, as well as multiple policies and strategies designed to eliminate these harmful practices. Despite these commitments, and the sustained efforts of the government and its development partners, progress remains highly uneven and too slow to meet targets. Indeed, the most recent Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey found that in the pastoralist regions of Afar and Somali, there is little evidence of progress in addressing either practice; rates of FGM are static, and rates of child marriage may even be increasing.

This report is part of a multi-year, mixed-methods longitudinal study. It draws on data collected in 2024 in two zones of Afar and two zones of Somali, exploring women’s and girls’ social and economic empowerment, especially regarding risks of FGM and child marriage.

Suggested citation

Endale, K.,, Presler-Marshall, E., Yadete, W., Jones, N., Gebeyehu, Y., Abdiselam, A., Tilahun, K., Workneh, F. and Woldehanna, T. (2025) FGM and child marriage attitudes, norms and practices: Midline findings. Report. London: Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (https://gage.odi.org/fgm-and-child-marriage-attitudes-norms-and-practices-in-afar-and-somali-regions-midline-findings/)