Memo: International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation: Just one victim is too many

On 6 February 2014, the International Day of Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating the unacceptable practice. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), internationally recognised as a violation of women’s human rights and as a form of child abuse, is thought to have affected 500,000 victims in the EU alone, and more than 125 million worldwide.

In November 2013, the Commission announced a new push to fight female genital mutilation in the European Union and beyond, with a series of actions to work towards the elimination of FGM.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women: European Commission takes action to combat Female Genital Mutilation http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-international-day-for-elimination-of-violence-against-women-european-commission-takes-action-to-combat-female-genital-mutilation/

EurActiv, 10.02.14: New laws needed to curb female genital mutilation, NGO claims http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/ngo-new-laws-needed-curb-female-news-533357

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