United Nations Population Fund

UNFPA provided substantial support for legislative development in the following areas: 

• UNFPA supported the process of developing the Inter-American Model Law on digital violence against women of MESECVI.
• In Colombia, Perú, Bolivia UNFPA supported the development of the Child Marriage and Early Union Prohibition.
• In Colombia, UNFPA supported  the adoption of the law to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation.
• UNFPA Djibouti has taken landmark steps toward eliminating FGM through the adoption of a constitutional amendment to Article 16, explicitly prohibiting FGM under the ban on torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. This historic legal reform is reinforced by a national fatwa issued by religious leaders explicitly calling for the abandonment of FGM, marking a critical shift in both the legal and normative environment.
• UNFPA Somalia supported a major milestone in December 2025, when the President of the South West State enacted a law prohibiting FGM. The law criminalizes the practice and reflects a strong political commitment to protecting the rights of women and girls and advancing gender equality.
• UNFPA promoted rights-based law and policy frameworks that are survivor-centred and prioritise platform accountability.In partnership with Derechos Digitales, UNFPA released Guiding principles for law and policy reform to address Technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence: Towards a system of accountability at the end of 2025. These principles are based on a comparative analysis of eight global jurisdictions, predominantly from the Global South. UNFPA and UN Women, facilitated by Equality Now, are consolidating two similar documents set to be released in 2026, as well as exploring CSW opportunities.

UNFPA plays a pivotal role in supporting governments to develop legislation that is responsive to the needs of survivors while aligning with international laws and human rights standards. Through its technical expertise, human resources, and financial support, UNFPA supports governments in the development and implementation of national laws that effectively address GBV and ensure the protection of survivors. 

One notable example of UNFPA’s advocacy efforts is its successful work in The Gambia, where it helped uphold the 2015 law criminalizing FGM. UNFPA countered repeal efforts by providing technical support, fostering regional partnerships, engaging with parliamentarians, and collaborating strategically with religious and civil society leaders. This work highlights the importance of multifaceted approaches to legislative advocacy and survivor protection. 

UNFPA has also supported legal framework strengthening and the development of National Action Plans for GBV response across the EECA region (Eastern Europe and Central Asia). In 17 EECA countries, the focus has been on domestic violence prevention, protection, and survivor support, which reflects UNFPA’s comprehensive approach to legislation and policy development. 

Progress at regional and national level: 

• In Latin America, UNFPA has advanced critical GBV legislation. Notable achievements include the passage of comprehensive laws in Chile and bans on child marriage and early unions in Peru and Colombia. These legislative advancements demonstrate UNFPA’s active role in shaping policies that prioritize the rights and protection of women and girls in the region. 
• In the Arab States, UNFPA has partnered with the Arab Institute for Human Rights to build capacity in 9 countries for addressing violence against women and girls (VAWG) through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) reporting process. This partnership highlights UNFPA’s commitment to improving accountability and monitoring mechanisms for human rights issues in the region. 

UNFPA works in partnerships with governments to develop legislation that is responsive to the needs of survivors and that is aligned with international laws and human rights standards. UNFPA provides technical, human and financial resources to support the development of national laws and largely engages with governments. By the end of 2020, as much as 96% of UNFPA Country Offices were involved in strengthening national legislation and policy. For example, in Kyrgyzstan, UNFPA contributed to the review of gaps in legislation resulting in expanded and improved services for survivors, increased awareness on gender-based violence and the utilization of new technologies during the pandemic. In the Gambia, UNFPA contributed to the approval of a law criminalizing FGM. And, in Nigeria the Violence Against Persons’ Prohibition Act has been adopted in 20 States in 2020 (bringing the total to 25 States).

UNFPA works with key stakeholders to address inadquacies in national legislation in the vast majority of its 124 Country and Sub-Regional Offices. As much as 93 percent of UNFPA Country Offices are involved in the drafting of national legislation on VAW. In 2015, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) succeeded in assisting the governments and parliaments of Nigeria and Gambia on enacting specific national legislations on FGM/C. The “Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act” was adopted in Nigeria and an amendment was made to the “Women’s Act of 2010” in The Gambia.