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In advance of International Day of Zero Tolerance to female genital mutilation (FGM) on 6 February, Amnesty International’s END FGM European Campaign called on European leaders to support its strategy to protect young girls and women affected by female genital mutilation. Touring across five cities in Europe between February and March 2010, the END FGM European Campaign launched a strategy with tangible recommendations for the EU Member States and the EU institutions. Female genital mutilation is a form of violence against women and children and a violation of human rights affecting an estimated 500,000 women and girls in Europe and putting another 180,000 girls at risk each year. “Political commitments from the European Parliament and Commissioners-Designate Viviane Reding and Cecilia Malmström are encouraging. However, it is now time for concrete actions at both national and European level”, says Dr Christine Loudes, Campaign Director, END FGM European Campaign. “We will be calling upon national leaders to support us as we launch this strategy across Europe. These commitments will be taken to the EU institutions to ensure that the recommendations are adopted at the European level”, explained Dr Loudes. The five key dimensions through which the EU can protect women and girls living with, or at risk of female genital mutilation are: 1. Collection of data on prevalence of female genital mutilation in Europe Read more on the campaign here. Further information
2. Accessible and appropriate healthcare for women living with female genital mutilation in Europe
3. Better protection mechanisms to address violence against women and children
4. Clear asylum guidelines for those under threat offemale genital mutilation, and
5. Mainstreaming of female genital mutilation in EU’s dialogues on cooperation with third countries where female genital mutilation is prevalent