What is FGM?
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that is recognised worldwide as a human rights violation. The practice of FGM violates:
- Right to physical and mental integrity
- Right to highest attainable standard of health
- Right to be free from all forms of discrimination against women (including violence against women)
- Right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment
- Rights of the child
- In extreme cases, right to life
FGM has been documented in certain parts of Africa, Asia and Middle East. It is now encountered in Europe as well. Most often, girls and women are taken to their countries of origin during school holidays where they are confronted with the pressure to be cut.
The European Parliament estimates 500,000 girls and women living in Europe are suffering with the lifelong consequences of female genital mutilation. The EU has the power to act. The End FGM European Network works to ensure that the EU acts now to end this practice and protect women and girls.
What we stand for?
The End FGM European Network offers a space to women and girls affected by FGM to engage directly with European decision makers. Their experiences and the expertise of member organisations define and guide the Network’s calls for European political action to end FGM.
The development of a European transnational network of organisations feeds into and complements the development of the platform working against FGM worldwide. Already, the platform created by the Network has facilitated cross-border cooperation and engagement in the international mobilisation on FGM. In addition, the Network provides a space for knowledge and skills sharing amongst actors involved in activities towards ending FGM, which can benefit the global movement to end FGM.
What we do?
Find out how we aim to bring about sustainable change and promote ending FGM.
More about our strategic planWhat can you do?
- Make a donation Click here to find out how.
- Get the newsletter Get all the lastest updates.
News & Events
Couple convicted of FGM - Ireland
In Ireland, a court jury has found a married couple guilty of carrying out Female Genital Mutilation on their one- year old daughter.
UNAF: Female Genital Mutilation is also a men's issue
Ibrahim Bah, a Guinean activist fighting to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation, knows first-hand how important it is that men oppose this practice that violates the rights of women and girls. Since he saw his sister die at age 14, he began to question this tradition that kills and causes serious physical and psychological damage to girls
GAMS Belgium: being an FGM adviser in an asylum reception centre
I saw a lot of women who had FGM-related health problems and also women who felt really bad because of it, who suffered a lot… As the only nurse in the centre, I thought it was an important topic and I wanted to learn more to try to help those women
Brussels Screening: The Cut: Exploring FGM
JOIN US June 5th for an unmissable screening of the Peabody Awards wining documentary 'The Cut: Exploring FGM' followed by a Q&A session with documentary correspondent Fatma M Naib.
The European Development Days 2018: Building Bridges between regions and people to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
End FGM EU & GIZ will share a panel session at this years European Development Days on 'Building Bridges between regions and people to end FGM'.
Report: The European Forum to Build Bridges on FGM
The European Forum to Build Bridges on FGM2 was held on 28 November in Brussels by the End FGM European Network (End FGM EU) in cooperation with the European Commission, and with the support of the Human Dignity Foundation and the Wallace Global Fund.
RT @MeMySexeAndI: Lancée par @ENDFGM_Network #myvoicematters est une campagne mettant en avant des féministes en Europe engagées pour… https://t.co/Q3TyMVpQwk
RT @lorenadc93: Yesterday I had the chance to learn about facts, myths and stereotypes linked to female genital mutilation at an in… https://t.co/qQzmlcogug
It's already the 11th day of the #16DaysOfActivism! 🎉 ❓How are you finding the #16days?
Resources
Islamic ruling on male and female circumcision
The right path to health - Health education through religion WHO, Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean
MoreFemale circumcision and Islam
Between the incorrect use of science and the misunderstood doctrine: FGM/C or female circumcision in Islam. Female circumcision, also known as female genital mutilation/cutting, (FGM/C) is deeply rooted in the history of many nations and peoples. There is a mistaken belief that the debate on FGM/C is a new one, but this is not the case.
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This site has been produced with the financial support of the European Union's Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of the End FGM European Network and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission.

This project is funded with support from the Wallace Global Fund (WGF). The ideas, opinions and comments therein are entirely the responsibility of its authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the WGF policies.

This project is funded with support from The Sigrid Rausing Trust. The ideas, opinions and comments therein are entirely the responsibility of its authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect The Sigrid Rausing Trust policies.