PERAN UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND (UNICEF) DALAM MENGATASI FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION DI MESIR TAHUN 2016–2023

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of UNICEF as an international organization in addressing the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Egypt during the period 2016–2023. FGM remains a serious issue in Egypt despite its criminalization, due to the strong influence of cultural norms, misinterpretations of religious teachings, and persistent social legitimacy surrounding the practice. This research employs a qualitative method through library research, guided by institutional liberalism and international organization theory, particularly the concept of the norm entrepreneur, to explain UNICEF’s strategies in promoting social and policy change. The findings indicate that UNICEF plays a strategic role through four main approaches: collaboration with UNFPA in the Joint Programme: Accelerating Change, policy advocacy, public campaigns, and community empowerment involving local leaders. Programs such as Protect Her from FGM and the educational animation Hekayet Nehad have contributed to heightened public awareness and a decline in FGM prevalence among adolescent girls. At the policy level, UNICEF has supported the strengthening of regulations and the enforcement of anti-FGM laws in Egypt. Additionally, through the engagement of religious figures, healthcare workers, and women change agents, UNICEF has successfully introduced new norms rejecting FGM as a cultural or religious practice. This study concludes that UNICEF functions not only as a technical program implementer but also as a normative agent capable of shaping social and legal frameworks for the eradication of FGM. These findings affirm that international organizations possess significant capacity to influence domestic policies and drive social transformation on issues pertaining to the protection of women and children.