Final Evaluation: The Stop Cut Project – Ending Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting in Southwest Nigeria
Location: Nigeria
Grantee: HACEY Health Initiative
Grant period: 1 January 2020 – 31 December 2022
Grant amount: USD 667,663
Authors/editors: DATA PARK
Publication year: 2023
HACEY Health Initiative implemented the three-year “The Stop Cut Project – Ending Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting in Southwest Nigeria”. Focusing on the Nigerian states of Ekiti, Osun and Oyo, the project aimed to: promote the effective implementation of laws and policies that protect women and girls from female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C); increase community engagement; advocate for the abolition of FGM/C; and engage stakeholders at the individual, family, societal and state levels in addressing FGM/C, focusing on policy and action at all levels.
This goal was to be achieved through four broad outcomes:
- Civil society organizations, media, government and citizens are using evidence-based data and information to support their work on ending FGM/C in the targeted states.
- The End FGM Alliance is more effectively advocating for the enforcement of FGM/C policies.
- Citizens in the target states have changed their attitudes about ending FGM/C practices.
- HACEY Health Initiative has been institutionally strengthened.
The final evaluation found that the project’s activities to raise awareness on laws and policies prosecuting FGM/C culprits were highly effective.
Main findings of the evaluation:
- The project impacted people's understanding of FGM/C, the risks and dangers involved, and the existence of the law that governs it.
- The practice of FGM/C in the community decreased significantly.
- The project’s beneficiaries understand the meaning of FGM/C, the risks associated with it and the legal implications.