Nairobi Commitments by Faith-Based Organizations in the Arab States Region to End Harmful Practices

We, the representatives of the Faith-based Organizations (FBO) from Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Yemen in FBOs network meeting are committed to collectively support our governments and communities to eliminate child marriage that considered to be harmful practice that abuses and FGM that considered to be irreversible harm and an act of violence against women and girls with no reference nor association with religious texts particular by: •Developing, implementing and supporting holistic, comprehensive and coordinated strategies and responses to prevent and eliminate Child Marriage to support girls who are affected or at risk, including effective engagement and strengthening of child protection and social protection measures; •Only support marriage and union of individuals who are above the age of 18 and have provided their full consent in line with our religious commitment; •Advocate for the creating of an enabling environment that facilities and enhances the role and involvement of traditional and religious; and the active participation of youth in decision making. •Condemning all Female Genital Mutilation, whether committed within or outside a medical institution, to take all necessary measures, including through education campaigns and by supporting enforcing legislation to prohibit Female Genital Mutilation, to protection women and girls from this act of violence: •Protecting and supporting women and girls who have been subjected to Female Genital Mutilation and those who are at risk in order to assist them, including by developing social, legal and psychological support services and care and appropriate remedies, and to ensure access to health-care services, including sexual and reproductive health, in order to improve their health and well-being. •Advocate for the creating of an enabling environment that facilities and enhances the role and involvement of traditional and religious; and the active participation of youth in decision making.

Mode of engagement:

• Programmatic action
  Training of religious leaders of both faith, Joint document to be developed between BLESS and El Azhar on FGM and Face to face campaigns and street shows to discuss harmful practices in the targeted communities.