The 2011 report shows that the pace of abandonment of female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C), is accelerating in the fourth year of the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, which has been extended for a fifth year, to the end of 2013.

The year was marked by increased ownership, dynamism and initiative on the part of national governments and implementing partners. Country-level ownership drew particular attention to the interconnectedness of FGM/C and the many other practices which hinder the development of girls and women. The achievements of 2011 illustrate that local level programming can address multiple forms of deprivation and discrimination. Hence, the campaign to end FGM/C also has an influence on maternal and child health, education and child marriage, and the general wellbeing of women and girls.

The report includes highlights from 2011, including

• Nearly 2,744 communities publicly declared their abandonment of FGM/C.
• Across the 15 Joint Programme countries, 141 cases violating national laws against FGM/C were prosecuted in court.
• Nearly 19,584 community education sessions took place.
• More than 3,485 newspaper articles and TV and radio programmes discussed the benefits of ending the practice.
• Nearly 300 health facilities included FGM/C prevention in their antenatal and neonatal care.
• Nearly 4,107 religious leaders taught their followers that FGM/C is not sanctioned by Islam.
• And nearly 1,000 religious edicts were issued in support of the abandonment of the practice.