The case studies presented below are independent assessments of the UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme support for the acceleration of the abandonment of the FGM/C in Kenya, Burkina Faso, Senegal and Sudan.

The joint programme was found to be highly relevant to the needs, priorities and commitments in Senegal, culturally-sensitive in its design as well as aligned with the national human rights approach. The joint programme has contributed to strengthening the existing favourable political and institutional framework for the abandonment of the practice, in particular through the development of the second National Action Plan and the establishment of the national technical committee. The joint programme has helped to expand existing interventions at the local level, in particular developing capacities at community level through the TOSTAN programme, and has supported the use of media in local languages and the engagement of religious authorities in FGM/C abandonment efforts.  However, challenges remain regarding sustainability, particularly the follow up of the commitments made by communities (public declarations) and the mobilisation of resources to support abandonment efforts. The joint programme has been limited by issues related to disbursement of funds, which have created challenges for implementing partners.