Dr Jennifer Riria Joins Global Champions to Advocate for Zero Tolerance to FGM

On 13th March 2026, the President and CEO of Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), Dr Jennifer Riria, was privileged to join anti-FGM champions from across the globe under the UNFPA-UNICEF initiative that advocates for zero tolerance to FGM and promotes the protection of FGM survivors. Among the keynote speakers were H.E. Giorgio Marrapodi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations, and Kenyan-born FGM champion and survivor Ms Fozzia Aden, who is currently based in New York, among others.

The meeting agreed that, challenging as it is, the eradication of FGM is both possible and urgent. ENAF committed to continue playing its role to promote community-based approaches aimed at ending all forms of GBV, including FGM, period poverty, early marriages, and teenage pregnancies, and promoting the uptake of STEM. On its part, ENAF is convinced that approaches to ending FGM should be both multi-pronged and survivor-centred.

Dr Riria is accompanied to the CSW ‘70 by Mrs Sarah Muhoya, ENAF’s Chief of Party. Besides participating in the deliberations, the two will meet various partners to discuss matters of mutual interest and advance the foundation’s mission on the global stage.