The Role of Parliamentarians in the Abandonment of FGM/C

Last Updated on Thursday, 06 December 2012 10:34 Written by Administrator Monday, 06 February 2012 13:48

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Background

Many girls and women are suffering the effects of the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) that violates the basic human rights of women and girls and seriously compromises their health. The practice is mainly exercised in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, but FGM/C is also a European problem, as growing migration has seen an increasing number of girls and women living outside their country of origin who have undergone FGM/C or at risk of being subject to the practice.

Thus AWEPA that is committed to the values of human rights, women’s right, development and prosperity and that works to strengthen the ties between African and European MPs in addressing challenges of common concern is, since 2009, focusing on the abandonment of FGM/C. In October 2010, AWEPA held a conference on the occasion of the EU Presidency on violence against women in Africa and at which African and European MPs discussed concrete parliamentary action on FGM/C. AWEPA and the Women’s Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament have recently produced Guidelines for Parliamentarians on the abandonment of FGM/C.

Following a letter of intent signed in December 2010, AWEPA is cooperating with UNFPA and UNICEF towards the abandonment of FGM/C in the context of their Joint Programme “Female Genital Mutilation: Accelerating Change” that focuses on 17 African countries. Initially, AWEPA will focus its support on three African countries, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal. This programme is funded by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the UNFPA. More details on this cooperation are presented hereafter.

Objective

The overall objective of AWEPA‟s FGM/C programme is the abandonment of the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Africa and Europe by 2015.

Purpose

The purpose of AWEPA‟s FGM/C programme is to enhance the capacity of selected African Parliaments – initially Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal - to exercise their oversight, representative and legislative functions with regard to the practices of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting, with a focus on one hand on FGM/C legislation and the monitoring of its implementation, and on the other hand on the need for a community-based approach.

Expected Outcomes

MPs in Africa are more aware of the issue of FGM/C;
MPs in Africa are better equipped to execute their oversight function;
MPs in Africa are better equipped to formulate policies and draft laws on FGM/C;
Stronger cooperation and coordination between African/European and African MPs on the issue of FGM/C, including additional fundraising for the Joint-Programme;
Increased interaction between CSOs and African/European MPs on the issue of FGM/C;
Better follow through of FGM/C laws to actual implementation.

Activities

National capacity development workshops on FGM/C, involving MPs and civil society organisations, in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal.
Decentralised activities – public hearings, constituency consultations – in Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal.
Joint preparatory and evaluation meetings involving MPs from Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal.
Elected representatives in Burkina Faso and neighbouring countries step up cooperation against the practice of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C). Click here to view the article.
Dutch MPs Exchange Views to Take Action Against FGM. Click here to view the article.