Population Council Research that makes a difference

This project is a mid-term evaluation of a joint initiative by UNDP and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) to prevent the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). The initiative began in 60 villages located in six governorates in Upper Egypt and is now expanding to 120 villages. The FGM-Free-Village Model addresses issues pertaining to FGM/C to communities as a whole instead of individual families or specific target groups in order to create an environment conducive to dialogue, where influential groups (community leaders, teachers, mothers, midwives, men, and doctors) can support families to eventually abandon FGM/C. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the Population Council's evaluation will document, evaluate, and provide recommendations for the replication and scale-up of the model to reach national coverage.

The final report has been submitted and is currently being reviewed for publication and public dissemination.