Policy Briefing on Female Genital Mutilation

‘Honour’ based violence is a form of violence against women and child abuse. It is also an abuse of human rights. Forms of ‘honour’ based violence are complexly embedded in families, generations, communities and culture and as such can be difficult for practitioners to recognise and confidently respond to. These forms of violence are closely linked to control of women, and strive to enforce the compliance of women in communities, thereby perpetuating the subordination and gender inequality of women in society. This briefing focuses specifically on female genital mutilation