UNFPA empowers young innovators to end FGM practices in East and Southern Africa

SOUTH AFRICA – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a digital innovation strategy and toolkit to help end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage in East and Southern Africa.

The Social Innovation Toolkit, a central component of UNFPA’s Regional Innovation and Digital Transformation Strategy for East Africa, aims to equip young people, especially adolescents and girls, with the resources they need to develop innovative solutions to these critical challenges. 

“Innovation is a key accelerator to achieving the ambitious SDG targets; our Social Innovation Toolkit is designed to empower young people with the tools they need to create change in their communities,” said Chinwe Ogbonna, UNFPA Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. 

The toolkit, titled “Addressing Harmful Practices through Social Innovation: A UNFPA Innovation Guide for ‘YOU’ and Startups,” provides practical guidance and serves as a beacon of hope. 

It connects users to social enterprise growth support within and outside Africa, fostering the development of new ideas and encouraging young people to participate in their own development actively. 

“Innovators in Africa face challenges such as lack of investment, limited entrepreneurship support and poor market access,

‘’Despite these challenges, young people are leading change in their own ways. This toolkit will support their efforts and help scale their innovative solutions,“  said Sydney Hushie, Regional Innovation Specialist for UNFPA East and Southern Africa. 

The launch event in Johannesburg was a testament to the collaborative nature of this project. 

It brought together a range of key partners, including representatives from the African Development Bank, Uyoyo Edosio, and Frank Asiwani of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance. 

The dialogue highlighted the role of innovation and digital technology in advancing sustainable development and tackling issues like FGM, underscoring the importance of a united front in this endeavor. 

Mark Marangu, founder of Tutor Register from Kenya, emphasized the importance of sustainable financing for innovative projects. 

He spoke of how support from organizations like UNFPA was instrumental in developing and scaling his innovative idea into a successful product. 

UNFPA will continue to work with young people as active agents of change to end harmful practices across Africa.

 “We implore young innovators to take advantage of this toolkit and other initiatives to support this collective effort,” added Mr. Hushie. 

The toolkit and the Regional Innovation and Digital Transformation Strategy are expected to positively impact several regional SDGs related to gender equality, good health and well-being, and quality education.

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