UNWomen, in collaboration with International Medical Corps (IMC), has been implementing a Programme on Women’s Empowerment in Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH) Rights (POWER) in humanitarian settings in Gambella Region. The purpose of the action research is to document the progress on the SRMNCAH programme implemented in the humanitarian setting, lessons learned from it, gaps in it and efforts required for it. The findings will better inform UN Women and partners working in a humanitarian setting on the current progress and the efforts required to improve SRMNCAH services in the refugee and host communities.

It is a reality that our region carries the highest prevalence of child marriage and female genital mutilation in the world, impacting millions of our girls. These harmful traditional practices have devastating impact including loss of life, risk of disease such as fistula, loss of education and life opportunities, trauma and other psycho-social impacts resulting in deepening poverty and perpetuating a cycle of abuse. This calls on us as traditional and religious leaders to urgently assume our role as protectors of our children. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the prevalence of genderbased violence in our countries and communities.

This publication highlights findings from the Zanzibar SDGs Gender Indicators Study in the form of infographics. The infographics showcase findings from each of the sectors covered in the report namely: Poverty and Hunger, Health, Decent Work, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Key Messages and the COVID-19 Context, and Recommendations.

The policy paper assesses the state of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Africa in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Informed by evidence from the five African Union (AU) regions, it outlines some of the initiatives implemented in AU Member States. The paper also proposes recommendations towards multi-sectoral response and recovery efforts that address GBV as well as the related needs of women and girls in Africa.

Pursuant to UN General Assembly resolution 73/149 on intensifying global efforts for the elimination of female genital mutilation, the present report provides information on the prevalence of the practice worldwide and its impact on women and girls, with reference to the most recent data and evidence.

UN Women regional office for East and Southern Africa has collected a number of good practices that are replicable and are feasible within the framework of engagement with traditional leaders and cultural authorities to end harmful practices against women and girls. These are just but a few selected examples of how these stakeholders have contributed to the efforts towards ending child marriage, FGM/C and other harmful practices against women and girls in Africa.

This executive brief is a synthesis of key findings and recommendations from a multi country analytical study by UN Women on child marriage in Africa covering ten countries selected due to their comparatively higher prevalence of child marriage in the continent and globally.