Report warns of families taking girls abroad for FGM
The United Nations has raised concerns about the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) being perpetuated through cross-border movements, where families take girls to countries of origin where the procedure is legal. Despite global efforts to ban FGM, the report highlights the continued prevalence of the harmful practice.
UN rights chief Volker Turk emphasized the need to uproot gender stereotypes and patriarchal norms that support FGM, calling for concerted global action to address “vacation cutting” especially among families in Europe and North America.
While many African countries have criminalized FGM, the report identifies some countries serving as “transnational FGM hubs” where the practice persists. The alarming statistics reveal the serious health risks associated with FGM, leading to infections, infertility, and childbirth complications.
With over 230 million girls and women affected by FGM globally, the report urges countries to harmonize legal frameworks and enforce policies to combat this violation of human rights.