Most of the girls are circumcised before the age of 5, which leads to physical, emotional and psychological trauma throughout their lives. The practice of FGM is originally common in numerous African countries, as well as in parts of Asia and Middle East. Nonetheless, due to increasing migration flows, the practice is no longer restricted to the traditional practising geographical areas. In these communities, FGM defines cultural identities and gender-roles, as the practice is thought to enhance the girl’s femininity, often synonymous with docility and obedience.

On an international level, FGM is recognised as a violation of human rights and as a form of child abuse, as defined by the United Nations. Fighting gender-based violence and violence against children are core values of the EU, as stated in the 'Strategy for equality between women and men’, in the ‘Directive on the rights of victims’ and in the ‘EU Agenda for the rights of the child’. Building on previous work, in 2013 the Commission issued a Communication on FGM, which sets out a series of actions to work towards the elimination of this practice.

On the 1st of August 2014, the Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe entered into force. It is the first treaty to recognise and address FGM in Europe and to require states parties to offer protection, support and prevention measures when women and girls at risk need it. A wide range of professionals in fields such as health, education, social service, immigration and asylum, child protection and the judiciary should be able to identify, help and protect victims of FGM. To provide good quality services, multidisciplinary cooperation based on sound knowledge of FGM is needed. Most victims’ needs vary according to their age and situation, thus a personalised, holistic approach is necessary to deal with the damaging short- and long-term consequences of the practice.

Most Member States prosecute FGM and often include a principle of extraterritoriality in their laws. This makes it possible to prosecute EU citizens conducting FGM, even if the procedure is committed in a country where the practice is legal. However, there have been few FGM related convictions in the EU, which suggests that the procedure continues to exist, although it is outlawed.

This timely symposium provides an invaluable opportunity to gain an understanding of the current EU legal framework and what more needs to be done to eradicate FGM. The symposium will examine how a multi-sector approach can be strengthened, and explore issues around prevention, the importance of specialist services and the greater role of health and education providers in ensuring better awareness and early intervention.



Delegates will:
•Understand the current legal framework for eradicating all forms of female genital mutilation
•Discuss the role and value of the Istanbul Convention to combat FGM in Europe
•Explore the ways to better engage with educators and communities to raise awareness of FGM
•Discuss ways to improve the support chain of FGM victims through specialised services and multi-sector cooperation
•Examine ways to increase capacity building across sectors to fight FGM