Joint Evaluation of the UNFPA_UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): Accelerating Change (2008-2012)

In 2007, UNFPA and UNICEF launched a joint programme entitled “Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C): Accelerating Change” with the objective of contributing to a forty per cent reduction of the practice among girls aged 0–15 years, with at least one country declared free of FGM/C by 2012.

The main orientation of the programme is to support and accelerate the efforts already being undertaken at country and regional level through on-going programmes and not to be a stand-alone initiative. The joint programme is currently implemented in 15 countries in East, West and North Africa. The duration of the programme was originally planned to be five years (2008-2012), but was extended in 2011 for an additional year (until 2013). As of September 2012, the total contribution made by donors to the joint programme was approximately US$27 million.

In September 2012 Universalia was selected after a competitive process to conduct to evaluation of the joint programme. This evaluation is undertaken jointly by UNFPA and UNICEF. The purpose of the evaluation is to assess the extent to which and under what circumstances the UNFPA-UNICEF joint programme has accelerated the abandonment of FGM/C in programme countries over the last four years (2008-2012). In addition to helping to ensure accountability to donors and other stakeholders, the evaluation is envisaged as a learning opportunity on a range of issues including joint programming and delivery.

The evaluation will assess the relevance, efficiency, sustainability and the effectiveness of the holistic approach adopted by UNFPA and UNICEF in their programme for the acceleration of the abandonment of FGM/C. The evaluation will also assess the quality of the coordination mechanisms that have been established at the global level and within countries to maximize the effectiveness of United Nations interventions. The evaluation uses a utilization-focused, gender- and human-rights-responsive and culturally sensitive approach, integrating theory of change and contribution analysis, and results-focused progress analysis. The evaluation will also utilize a mixed-methods approach.

The evaluation will include four phases: 1) Evaluation design phase; 2) Data collection and field phase; 3) Reporting phase; 4) Dissemination and follow-up. Data collection includes a desk review, telephone interviews with global and regional stakeholders, field visits to the four case study countries, a survey and virtual group discussions with stakeholders in the 11 non visited countries. The evaluation will result in 4 case study reports and in one final evaluation report. : One pilot field visit during the design phase (to) and three field visits during the data collection and field.