Child marriage and female circumcision (FGM/C): evidence from Ethiopia

This Young Lives policy brief suggests that both child marriage and FGM/C are in decline in Ethiopia. This change is the result of legislation, campaigns to end harmful traditional pratices, efforts of civil society and international organisations as well as a clear commitment by the government to increase girls' access to education, health care and employment opportunities.

While remarkable progress has been made, the pace of decline is still too slow. Regional disparities and an urban-rural divide continue to exist and many girls and their parents feel anxious about abandoning these deeply embedded traditional practices in pursuit of non-traditional lifestyle choices.