Report on good practices and major challenges in preventing and eliminating female genital mutilation


Published
27 March 2015
Author
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Presented
To the Human Rights Council at its 29th session

Summary

The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 27/22 on intensifying global efforts and sharing good practices to effectively eliminate female genital mutilation. Following a brief overview of issues related to that practice and the applicable legal framework, the report contains a summary of some of the initiatives undertaken by States, United Nations entities and non-governmental and other organizations to eliminate it, and an analysis of the continued challenges.

The report contains a number of conclusions and recommendations, as well as the observations that female genital mutilation in all its forms is prohibited under international human rights law and that States have an obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the right of women and girls to live free from female genital mutilation.

The report also calls on States to:

  • adopt and implement legislation that prohibits female genital mutilation, in accordance with international human rights law;
  • develop comprehensive policies to address female genital mutilation, involving all levels of government;
  • promote the education of girls;
  • undertake education and awareness-raising initiatives;
  • challenge the social norms supporting female genital mutilation;
  • delink the practice from religion, social norms, harmful stereotypes and cultural beliefs that perpetuate discrimination against women;
  • harness political leadership to end the practice; and
  • harmonize data collection.

Inputs received

Governments

UN Agencies

  • UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme 1-2-3-4
  • UNHCR
  • World Health Organisation 1-2

Other Entities

NGOs and Individuals