From left: Solomon Kelkai from Save the Children, Odd Inge Kvalheim, Norway's Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Hans Birkeland from NCA, sign the agreement. (Photo: NCA Ethiopia)
On Tuesday 31st May, a strategic framework agreement was signed between NCA, Save the Children and the Norwegian Embassy in Addis Ababa.
The agreement gives a total of 50 million NOK over a period of five years towards work to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ethiopia. The money will be distributed equally between NCA and Save the Children. This means that 25 million NOK will be channeled through NCA over the next five years, allowing this important work to continue.
Zero tolerance
“In Africa, it is common to hear the expression “Be patient with your drumming, for the night is long.” But for Ethiopian girls, the time for patience is past. We must, and we will, end the suffering of Ethiopian women and girls. We will continue to sound our drums loudly, the whole night through, for zero tolerance, and for a new day to dawn for Ethiopian girls,” said Hans Birkeland after the agreement was signed.
This is the second phase of a strategic partnership with the Norwegian Embassy related to work with female genital mutilation. For NCA Ethiopia, the agreement signifies a considerable increase in the economic framework from previous years.