United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-Moon’s Report “Ending Female Genital Mutilation”, which has been released this week, is a critical step forward in international efforts to bring an end to this harmful practice worldwide. Significantly, the Report recalls the commitment to a worldwide ban on FGM to be adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, stating unequivocally that FGM is a violation of universal human rights that cannot be justified by cultural or traditional exceptions. By emphasising the key role of comprehensive and efficient legislation, the report sides with African activists who have ceaselessly advocated for the adoption of laws banning FGM that are supported by prevention and sensitisation measures.
Statement of Alvilda Jablonko, Coordinator of the Ban FGM Campaign of No Peace Without Justice:
“No Peace Without Justice and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty (NRPTT), together with the other members of the Ban FGM Coalition, welcome the release of the UN Secretary-General’s Report, which calls for the adoption and enforcement of comprehensive national legislation prohibiting all forms of female genital mutilation and providing preventive measures and support for victims and women at risk.
“The Report notes that the importance of a common and systematic approach to address female genital mutilation as a violation of human rights was reaffirmed in the Decision taken by the Assembly of the African Union during its seventeenth session. Crucially, this Decision expressed the strong support of the African Union and its member States for the adoption of a resolution to ban female genital mutilation worldwide at the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
“We renew the appeal to all States, and to all regional and international organisations, to take an unequivocal and joint stance in favour of the adoption of a UN Resolution banning FGM worldwide. This is important to ensure the harmonisation of legal tools and mechanisms against FGM in all affected countries and to provide strong and clear support for all activists working to bring an end to the practice.
“We also invite all citizens of the world to join the brave activists who have dedicated their lives to combating FGM by signing the appeal on www.banfgm.org, asking that the United Nations take the necessary steps to put an end to this human rights violation.”
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Ban FGM Campaign
No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty (NRPTT), in coalition with the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children, Euronet-FGM and the Senegalese NGO La Palabre, have cooperated closely on several initiatives to foster support for the adoption of UNGA Resolution banning FGM as a human rights violation. The campaign has gained the support of human rights activists, women’s organisations, parliamentarians and government representatives from throughout Africa and Europe.
For more information, contact Alvilda Jablonko, Coordinator of the FGM Program, on ajablonko@npwj.org or Nicola Giovannini, email: ngiovannini@npwj.org, phone: +32 2 548 39 15. Check also the websites: www.npwj.org and www.banfgm.org
