The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs marked International Girl Child Day for the 3rd time in Ethiopia with a theme: ” Let’s keep our promise and commitment to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and control child early and forced marriage (CEFM) and other harmful traditional practices to ensure women participation and competency” here yesterday.

Speaking at the event, Minister Zenebu Tadese said: “Harmful traditional practices have led many adolescent girls to unnecessary physical, psychological inflections for many years. When we mark this Day we realize our achievement and future commitment to end these practices ones and for all.”

“The Ministry has taken various measures to prevent such practices and ensure young girls participation and competency as well as benefits and contribution to their country’s development.”

According to Zenebu, this year’s theme also focuses on the vitality of collecting clear data on these practices in order to control and address the problem.

Stakeholders including Federal General Attorney, Ministry of Federal and Pastoral Development Affairs and religious leaders presented reports on activities to end Child Marriage and FGM, eventually pledged to meet the world wide plan to end these practices by 2025.