Faith leaders unite to end FGM and child marriage across Eastern and Southern Africa

Religious leaders from across Eastern and Southern Africa have issued a unified call to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, declaring there is no religious or cultural justification for either practice.

Gathered under the theme “Faith in Action: United for the Dignity, Rights and Protection of Girls,” the high-level Interfaith Conference brought together over 65 participants from 16 countries in a powerful show of regional solidarity.

The event was co-convened by the African Council of Religious Leaders -Religions for Peace (ACRL-RfP) and UNICEF, and was held from June 11–12 at the All-Africa Conference of Churches (AACC-CETA) headquarters in Nairobi.

“No faith calls for children to suffer pain, and no tradition should cost a child her life or dignity. Religious leaders have the power to shape beliefs and transform lives,” said Alison Parker, Deputy Regional Director, UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa.

“When they stand united against harmful practices like FGM and child marriage, entire communities listen—and change. UNICEF is proud to stand with them in this critical step forward to ending violence against children across the region.”

A key milestone of the event was the endorsement of the Regional Interfaith & Multisectoral Declaration, titled: “Faith in Action: United for the Dignity, Rights and Protection of Girls.”

The Declaration outlines a united commitment by faith leaders, civil society, and development partners to end FGM and child marriage in the region.

It firmly denounces both practices as grave violations of children’s rights and calls for urgent action from governments, religious institutions, and communities.

The conference sought to promote faith-led, evidence-based dialogue and strategies that challenge harmful social norms.

It also encouraged survivor-centred prevention and response efforts related to FGM and child marriage throughout the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) region.

“Where law struggles to reach, faith can enter. Where policy is resisted, trust can open hearts. We must use our pulpits, our mosques, our churches, our village gatherings, to transform social norms to teach that true honor lies in education, health, and protection, not in outdated, harmful rituals,” said His Eminence Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, Co-Chair of ACRL-RfP.

Despite notable legal reforms in several countries, over 42 million girls and women in the region have undergone FGM, while 60 million girls under the age of 18 have been married.

These harmful practices, often justified through religious or cultural narratives, continue to violate children’s rights and have devastating consequences for their health, education, and equality.

“We must be clear… these are not religious obligations. These are social customs, passed down through generations, often out of fear, ignorance, or misunderstanding. Neither the Holy Qur’an nor the Holy Bible supports the cutting of girls or the marrying off of children. Let us not be afraid to confront harmful traditions. Let us instead reclaim our faith narratives as messages of healing, not harm,” said Archbishop Albert Chama.

The conference built on the momentum of an earlier virtual consultation held in April 2025, co-hosted by ACRL-RfP and UNICEF.

The April conference explored actionable strategies for empowering communities to abandon harmful norms and embrace transformative, dignity-based practices rooted in faith.

ACRL-RfP and UNICEF ESARO are calling on all stakeholders to amplify these efforts by supporting protective policies, educational opportunities, economic alternatives, and the power of interfaith collaboration to reframe social narratives and secure a safer future for children.

The event concluded with a joint Declaration and Call to Action by faith leaders and partners, firmly asserting that there is neither religious nor cultural justification for FGM or child marriage.

The diverse representation included leaders of multiple faiths, academics, government officials, UN agencies, and civil society organizations, all reaffirming a collective regional commitment to protect the dignity and rights of children.

The Declaration was formally launched on June 16, in celebration of the Day of the African Child.