EU Policy & Legal Framework

European Parliament

Resolution of 12 February 2020 on a EU strategy to put an end to female genital mutilation around the world called to ensure that FGM is present in all EU policy documents which are being currently negotiated, to increase EU budget allocated to this cause both internally and externally and to review the 2013 Communication in order to step up efforts against the practice worldwide, and tackle the disparities in laws, policies, services and provisions among the Member States.

Resolution of February 2018 on zero tolerance against FGM called for increased efforts from the Commission and Member States to build bridges, strengthen community engagement, mainstream FGM and ensure the highest standards of international protection for FGM survivors coming to Europe.

Oral Question with debate of February 2018 posed by the Chair of the FEMM Committee, MEP Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, during the plenary session of the European Parliament on the progress made to mainstream FGM into all relevant policy and legislative frameworks of various Commission's Directorates-General in order to ensure that the issue is tackled within all sectors. See End FGM EU contribution to the plenary debate here.

Written Question of December 2017 posed by MEP Cécile Kyenge during the 34th session of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly on actions between States within the EU and the African Caribbean and Pacific region on prevention, protection, prosecution and integrated policies to end FGM.

Oral Question without resolution of January 2015 posed by the Chair of the FEMM Committee, MEP Iraxte Garcia Perez, during the plenary session of the European Parliament, on progresses on the Commission's Communication "Towards the elimination of female genital mutilation".

Resolution of February 2014 welcomed the Commission Communication "Towards the elimination of female genital mutilation", establishing to use EU funding to prevent FGM and improve support for victims, to strengthen international dialogue and encourage research with a view to clearly identifying women and girls at risk, and to facilitate the exchange of experience and good practices on FGM issues between Member States, NGOs and experts.

Nearly 400 MEP candidates signed a pledge committing to prioritise ending FGM if they were elected in 2014. 93 of these candidates were elected as MEPs.

Resolution of June 2012 called for an end to FGM in Europe and abroad through prevention, protection measures and legislation. The Parliament reminded the European Commission of its commitment to develop a strategy to combat violence against women, including FGM.

The European Commission adopted the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 for external relations which has as its first priority “ensuring girls' and women's physical and psychological integrity”, which includes working to end FGM;

The European Commission in 2015 issued a document on "10 principles for integrated child protection systems" to guide Member States on children protection, with specific attention to girls affected or at risk of FGM. Read our publication framing the 10 principles document in the context of FGM here;

The EEAS adopted the EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2015-2019, whose Objective 14b contains a commitment to end FGM in external relations;

On 6 February 2013, the tenth anniversary of International Day of Zero Tolerance of FGM, six EU Commissioners confirmed the EU's commitment to end FGM and in its external relations;

A high level round table on FGM was organized on 6 March by the European Commission, where the End FGM Campaign’s demand for EU action was supported. On the day, the Commission launched a consultation with civil society on combating FGM in the EU;

The European Commission released its first-ever action plan "Towards the elimination of female genital mutilation" on the International day of elimination of violence against women (25 November 2013);

In September 2010, the proposal of the Strategy for Equality between Women and Men recognised the need for a strategy to combat FGM. However, this proposal has not been adopted so far;

On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2010, each Commissioner pledged their support to the Women’s Charter, committing strengthened action against FGM;

The Stockholm Programme Action Plan of 2009 included provisions to fight FGM among its initiatives on the issue of gender-based violence.

The European Institute of Gender Equality launched the results of the “Study to map the current situation and trends of female genital mutilation in 27 EU Member States and Croatia”, developed on the request of Commissioner Viviane Reding. The study did not find homogeneity in terms of literature and data already collected on FGM prevalence and number of girls at risk, with some countries having no data at all.
EIGE launched in 2015 a common methodology framework to collect data on FGM in the "Step-by-step guide: Estimation of girls at risk of female genital mutilation in the European Union"
EIGE launched in 2015 the results of the first study on "Estimation of girls at risk of female genital mutilation in the European Union" using the new methodolofy, focusing on 3 EU countries: Ireland, Sweden and Portugal.
EIGE launched in 2018 the results of the second study on "Estimation of girls at risk of female genital mutilation in the European Union", focusing on 6 EU countries: Belgium, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy and Malta.

In June 2014 the Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Council adopted conclusions on Preventing and Combating All forms of violence against women and girls, including female genital mutilation.
In March 2010 the Employment and Social Committee Council (EPSCO) requested for the creation of tools and exchange of knowledge and practices to end violence against women, including FGM by establishing a European observatory.

The victim’s rights directive adopted in October 2012 obliges provision of support services to victims of violence, including those of FGM
The Asylum Reception Conditions Directive which were endorsed by the European Council in October 2012 specifically mentions victims of FGM amongst vulnerable persons who should receive appropriate healthcare during their asylum procedure
The Asylum Qualification Directive adopted in late 2011 where FGM was included as grounds to be taken into account for international protection.
The Asylum Procedures Directive adopted in 2013 where adequate gender and child sensitive procedures for vulnerable groups, including FGM survivors, are outlined.Read our Q&A on FGM and the Victims' Rights Directive here. Read our Guide on FGM in the EU Asylum Directives here.
Within the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) Reform launched by the European Commission in 2016, the three Asylum Directives are being reviewed. [Read our position paper on "FGM and international protection: Towards a human rights based and gender sensitive CEAS" here.