POSITIVE MASCULINITY AGAINST FGM: LET’S TALK ABOUT IT

On the occasion of the international day against female genital mutilation, February 6, 2023, UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Women and Families organized a café debate on positive masculinity for the acceleration of the abandonment of FGM.

The aim of this café was to initiate a debate around the involvement of men and boys and to discuss the notions of toxic and positive masculinity to gradually allow us to deconstruct notions still anchored in gender relations, and this, at several levels (conjugal, family).

Furthermore, the men present at the coffee debate discussed the importance of acquiring scientific knowledge in order to better understand the social relationships that govern Djiboutian society. They also discussed the ineffectiveness of FGM as a means of controlling sexuality.

We took part in this coffee debate on positive masculinity, 70 people including the Minister of Women and Family, colleagues from the United Nations system, representatives of the embassies of Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. , and those responsible for implementing the national program to combat FGM.

It emerged from this coffee debate that spaces that promote male sociability could be levers for effective action in order to initiate a dialogue and free men's voices. To highlight eloquent men (public figures) and publicly engaged with the aim of raising awareness and encouraging other men to get involved. Discussing the risks associated with the practice of FGM would also help to lift the veil on male involvement in maintaining this harmful practice.