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Female genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a form of gender-based violence and a serious violation of women and girls human rights.

During recent years FGM has gained considerable attention in the EU. In June 2012, the European Parliament adopted the Resolution on ending female genital mutilation. EIGE launched a “Study to map the current situation and trends of female genital mutilation in 27 EU Member States (MS) and Croatia” on the request of EU Commissioner Viviane Reding. The results of the project are the report, collections of resources, methods and tools and good practices and country fact sheets. It will support policy makers in their efforts to follow the law obligation in this area and develop strategies for effective elimination of female genital mutilation in Europe.

Ceremonial knives used in FGM © IRIN/Bryna Hallam

Ceremonial knives used in FGM © IRIN/Bryna Hallam

EIGE’s research − the first EU-wide study on FGM − shows that to effectively combat this practice the EU needs a more comprehensive approach, which balances protection, prevention and prosecution. Measures leading to a long-term behavior change among FGM-practicing communities are equally important.

 

Resources on FGM
Methods and tools on FGM
Good practices in combating FGM

 

The report presents among its recommendations a suggestion to implement legal provisions to criminalise FGM. It also points out the need for specialised services for victims of gender-based violence, including counseling and shelters. These services are currently insufficient and unequally distributed in and among the EU Member States. The report also calls for more coordination of FGM-related work among stakeholders at regional, national and international levels.

One of the recommendations is to establish a multi-agency cooperation on the protection of girls and women at risk and victims of FGM, and facilitate the exchange of good practices. A network of experts and key actors on gender-based violence – including FGM – should be established.

Related publications:

Female genital mutilation in the European Union and Croatia - Report

Good practices in combating female genital mutilation

Country fact sheets:

FGM Country factsheets

Belgium (FR, EN)*

*Dutch language version will follow

 Greece (EL, EN) Luxembourg (FR, EN) Romania (RO, EN)
Bulgaria (BG, EN) Spain (ES, EN) Hungary (HU, EN) Slovenia (SL, EN)
Czech Republic (CS, EN) France (FR, EN) Malta (MT, EN) Slovakia (SK, EN)
Denmark (DA, EN) Italy (IT, EN) Netherlands (NL, EN) Finland (FI, EN)
Germany (DE, EN) Cyprus (EL, EN) Austria (DE, EN) Sweden (SV, EN)
Estonia (ET, EN) Latvia (LV, EN) Poland (PL, EN) United Kingdom (EN)
Ireland (GA, EN) Lithuania (LT, EN) Portugal (PT, EN) Croatia (EN)