WUNRN
FGM - EUROPEAN COMMISSION LAUNCHES
FIRST ACTION PLAN TO END FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION
The
European Commission launched its first-ever action plan to ending female
genital mutilation.
The communication ‘Towards the elimination of female genital mutilation’ was
released on a symbolic date - 25th November - International Day of
Elimination of Violence against Women. We are enthusiastic about this milestone
within the EU‘s engagement on ending FGM, a giant step in the right
direction. The plan calls for more data in Europe, better training of health
and legal professionals, funding for civil society, exchange of good practices
within the EU and much more. In its external relations, the EU is urged to
raise the issue of FGM in annual dialogues and in its work with the African
Union. It is now time for EU member states to implement the action plan in
order to finally offer freedom from violence to those women and girls affected
by FGM.
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Direct Link to European Commission
Text:
8. CONCLUSION
With this Communication on FGM, the European Commission and the European
External Action Service reiterate their commitment to combating violence
against women and eliminating FGM both within and outside the EU,
acknowledging that the linkage between the communities affected in EU and their
countries of origin needs to be taken into account. The EU will keep raising
the issue in future and will support those who have been actively engaged in
this field for many years, in particular international organisations, Member
States and NGOs. The EU will continue to develop policies and implement
measures, bearing in mind that FGM has multi-faceted aspects, requiring
multi-disciplinary measures and close cooperation with communities in which it
is practised.