The Taboo Topic of Female Genital Cutting: the search for effective approaches

Summary: This website presents a compilation of resources on Female Genital Cutting.

Between 100 and 140 million girls and women have undergone Female Genital Cutting (FGC). While there are many reasons that explain why this practice is common in parts of Africa, Asia, and in some Arab countries - whether as a passage to womanhood or as something to be endured in order to please a future husband - more and more voices are speaking up against FGC as a serious development, health, and human rights issue.

As FGC continues to affect an estimated three million girls and women every year in the African continent alone, local and international development organisations are working together with the practicing communities to find alternatives to bring about an end to this practice.

The Development Gateway Foundation has developed a special collection about FGC on its website, providing a package of useful resources to help disseminate information and create greater awareness about this phenomenon.

The special feature includes:

• An exclusive interview with Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
• Information on gender, youth, HIV and AIDS, population and reproductive health, culture, and civil society perspectives.
• A collection of links to prominent publications and organisations addressing the topic.

Further information

• Spiegel Online International: Muslim leaders join battle against female circumcision (8 December 2006)