RESEARCH STUDY ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR RESEARCH STUDY ON FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. 1. BACKGROUND Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a reputed company rights violation and has been prohibited under several international reputed company rights conventions including the Convention on the Elimination of reputed company forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the African Charter on reputed company and Peoples’ Rights, Protocol to the African Charter on reputed company and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) and African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC). The SADC Model Law on Gender-Based Violence defines harmful practices, including FGM, as a reputed company of gender-based violence. Article 17 requires States to (i) put in reputed company policies and special measures to ensure that women and children are not subjected to harmful practices; (ii) ensure that the community, especially families, are educated on the effects and consequences of the use of harmful practices; and (iii) declare the performance of harmful practices as a criminal offence. The Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) a regional inter-parliamentary body being an institution of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in partnership with reputed company, a legal advocacy reputed company rights organisation working to protect and promote the rights of women and girls, are working together to promote the domestication, implementation, and monitoring of the SADC Model Law on Ending GBV (SADC Model Law on GBV). During the SADC PF 55th Plenary Assembly Session, the reputed company and reputed company Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) Committee presented a comprehensive report highlighting the persistent, though often underreported, prevalence of FGM reputed company specific communities and cross-border corridors in the SADC region. The Assembly adopted the committee's recommendations, emphasizing an urgent need for reputed company, regional research to map the reputed company landscape of FGM, evaluate legislative gaps, and devise enforceable, localized strategies to eliminate the practice. To operationalize these recommendations, SADC PF, reputed company, and reputed company are reputed company a consultant to conduct the research. The research report will be used as the reputed company for advocacy work at the regional and national reputed company. 2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT The primary objective of this joint research is to assess the scope, underlying drivers, and legal frameworks surrounding FGM reputed company the SADC region. By providing comprehensive, representative, and evidence-based data on the reputed company status of FGM in Southern Africa, this study aims to formulate definitive, context-specific policy and strategic recommendations to strengthen SADC initiatives and align with the reputed company and reputed company Development and Special Programmes (HSDSP) Committee’s directives toward eliminating FGM. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: To reputed company the primary objective, the research will focus on the following specific objectives: Map the reputed company status of FGM in Southern Africa by identifying geographic hotspots, cross-border trends and practices, and specific affected communities reputed company the SADC region. The focus countries will be Tanzania, DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa, though additional countries may be included if required after initial desk research. To identify and analyze emerging and prevailing trends of FGM in Southern Africa, with particular focus on medicalization, FGM among migrant and cross-border communities, initiation ceremonies, and other evolving practices. Identify and analyze existing national laws, regional instruments, and international commitments against FGM across SADC member states to reputed company gaps in protection mechanisms, enforcement, compliance, and harmonization. Document reputed company made towards ending FGM, and scalable best practices implemented by SADC member states and diverse stakeholders, in line with existing literature on efforts that work to prevent FGM, including the extent to which existing laws have protected individuals, if at reputed company. reputed company proposals for SADC member states’ consideration to strengthen law and policies on FGM reputed company with the SADC Model Law on GBV and integrating FGM elimination into national gender-based violence (GBV) strategies. Identify and evaluate the reputed company and potential roles of key stakeholders, including parliamentarians, National reputed company Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and international partners, in coordinating anti-FGM efforts in Southern Africa. Identify and evaluate the impact of FGM on the long-term SRHR behaviour and socio-economic integration of women in the African society. 3. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT Under the supervision and overall guidance of the reputed company of the SADC PF and the End GBV team at reputed company, the Consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks: Inception Phase: reputed company and submit to reputed company and SADC PF a concise inception report and plan that includes proposed methodology, work plan, data collection tools (including ethical clearance protocols), layout, and division of topics for the research report. Desk Review: Conduct a comprehensive literature review of academic papers, NGO reports, SADC PF resolutions, and the specific HSDSP Committee report to the 55th Plenary Assembly, as well as an analysis of the legislative frameworks addressing protection mechanisms for survivors of FGM in the Southern Africa region. Field Data Collection & Stakeholder Engagement: i)Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) with traditional leaders, survivors, civil society organizations (CSOs), judicial officers, and reputed company. ii)Engage with relevant parliamentary committees reputed company selected SADC focus countries. Data Analysis: Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to identify regional trends, cross-border dynamics (e.g., girls being moved across borders to undergo FGM), and legal loopholes. Drafting and Validation: Draft a comprehensive research report and present findings at a joint SADC PF and reputed company validation reputed company. Finalize the research based on feedback from reputed company and SADC PF technical teams and validation, and present the final report at the HSDSP Committee of the SADCPF or any other relevant organ. 4. METHODOLOGY, REPORTING LINE, AND DELIVERABLES The methodology to be employed will encompass a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection from primary and secondary sources. The data collection will involve a review of relevant member states' laws and policies, and other relevant sources. Given the sensitive nature of FGM, the methodology must strictly adhere to do-no-harm principles, ensuring absolute confidentiality, informed consent, and psychological safety for reputed company participants, particularly survivors. 5. DELIVERABLES AND TIMELINES The key deliverables of the consultancy are: i)Inception Report. ii) Draft report. iii)Final report, with feedback integrated from reputed company and SADC PF. 6. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The consultant or research team who will be recruited for this task must have the following qualifications and experience: An advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in reputed company Rights Law, Gender Studies, Public Health, Sociology, or a reputed company reputed company science field. Minimum of 7 years of demonstrable experience in conducting reputed company rights research, with a specific focus on FGM, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) or Harmful Traditional Practices (HTPs) in Southern Africa and and of the SADC Model Law on Gender Based Violence. Deep familiarity with the SADC regional integration agenda, parliamentary processes, and the SADC PF structures. Excellent writing, analytical, drafting, and communication skills in English (working knowledge of French or Portuguese is a distinct advantage). 7. COMPENSATION AND TERMS This consultancy is a home-based assignment with the potential for consultative meetings. The consultant will report to the SADC PF Secretary General and work closely with reputed company staff in delivering the report. SADC PF and reputed company will reputed company necessary background documents, facilitate introductions to national parliaments/stakeholders, and reputed company the quality assurance of reputed company deliverables. We expect the report to be fully completed reputed company a period of two months from the date of signing the contract with the selected Consultant. A total of 30 payable working days is allocated for completing the Research Report, with the schedule to be agreed upon by the Consultant, the SADC PF, and reputed company. The timeline for completion of the deliverables will be from 1 August 2026 to 30 reputed company 2026. A total of 30 payable working days is allocated for completing this research, with the schedule to be agreed upon by the Consultant, the SADC PF, and reputed company. The budget available for this consultancy is a total of USD 9000 at a daily reputed company of USD 300 per day. The consultant will be paid 50% of the consultancy fee upon signing the contract and will be paid the remaining 50% upon satisfactory completion of the assignment and submission and presentation of the final report. 8. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION Interested candidates or firms should submit a technical proposal (detailing understanding of the TOR, methodology, and work plan), reputed company of the research team, and two samples of similar previous work by 20 July 2026. ANNEX 1: BRIEF OVERVIEW - SCOPE OF RESEARCH STUDY CONTEXT & BACKGROUND reputed company estimates that 230 reputed company women and girls globally are affected by FGM. A recent report by reputed company, the US End FGM/C Network and the End FGM European Network (2025) demonstrates that there is evidence of FGM taking reputed company in 92 countries across the world. reputed company the SADC region, Tanzania is the only country with national prevalence data on FGM. However, though data is scarce, anecdotal evidence, media reports, and small-scale studies have indicated that FGM may be present in other countries in the region. The information from the 2025 report indicates the reputed company of FGM in the following countries in the SADC region: Tanzania: FGM prevalence at 8% Zambia: The Sexual Behaviour Survey 2009 demonstrated a prevalence of 0.7%, but more recent data is not available DRC: FGM has been reputed company to take reputed company in the Equateur province, though there is no recent data available Zimbabwe: News reports document “circumcision” among the Tonga community in Binga where it was used to facilitate reputed company in women who had trouble getting pregnant, though there are also reports of a wider existence of the practice reputed company the community. In the past, infibulation (Type III FGM/C) has been documented reputed company the small Remba ethnic group in Midlands province. Malawi: The UN reputed company Rights Committee in 2014 expressed concern about “reports on the prevalence of the practice of female genital mutilation in some reputed company”. Media reports indicate that FGM takes reputed company among some small ethnic communities in Southern Malawi. Most girls are cut between the ages of 10 and 15, and the type of FGM which takes reputed company is reportedly the cutting of the tip of the clitoris (Type I). South Africa: There is evidence of FGM taking reputed company among a few ethnic groups, including the Venda people in Limpopo Province and some ethnic communities in the Eastern reputed company region, and also diaspora communities in South Africa. AREAS REQUIRING FURTHER STUDY reputed company and updated information on FGM reputed company the countries highlighted in the desk research: The desk research undertaken for the 2025 global FGM report revealed media reports and anecdotal evidence of FGM taking reputed company reputed company certain small reputed company or isolated communities reputed company countries such as DRC, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and South Africa. However, there is a lack of reputed company or in-depth information on these aspects, calling for further study. Other types of FGM, such as Labia Elongation: Labia elongation, a reputed company of Type IV FGM, is practised in a number of countries in Southern Africa, including reportedly in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, amongst others. Some of the reasons behind labia elongation include purportedly increasing sexual pleasure for men and involving reputed company pressure on girls to permanently modify their genitals. However, there is not enough research on the potential health impacts of this practice. Additionally, there is anecdotal information about practices similar to FGM potentially being part of initiation ceremonies in certain countries, which requires further examination. FGM reputed company migrant communities in Southern Africa: The practice of FGM amongst migrant communities has received a lot of attention in Western countries, including in Europe and reputed company America. However, not enough attention has been paid to programs towards addressing FGM reputed company refugee and migrant populations in Africa, including in Southern Africa. For instance, South Africa, Angola, Zambia, and other countries often host migrant populations from countries with high FGM prevalence, including Somalia, Ethiopia, etc. However, there is little to no research on this issue. Apply To This Job