WRITTEN QUESTION E-1598/00

by Armando Cossutta (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(19 May 2000)

Subject: Female genital mutilation

Research undertaken by the preventive medicine service of the San Gallicano hospital for migrants in Rome has given a general picture of the practice of female genital mutilation in Italy. Today there are 40 000 women living in Italy who have been subjected to this practice. Some 5 000 girls, the daughters of immigrants, are likely to undergo this operation, which is generally performed at the age of six. In the countries of origin, notably Egypt and Eritrea, these operations are performed under unhygienic conditions, causing very serious side-effects which frequently have to be treated by Italian doctors when the women concerned move to Italy.

On the basis of 20 years' experience, Italian doctors have concluded that this is essentially a cultural phenomenon. In some cases doctors have discussed the issue patiently and respectfully with the women concerned and succeeded in deterring them from mutilating their daughters.

Given that it is difficult to intervene directly in the countries of east Africa where this practice is widespread, but bearing in mind that a growing number of African women are moving to Europe:

1. Could the Commission fund studies and research into the extent of this phenomenon in European countries?

2. Does it not think that encouragement should be given for the training of health and social workers capable of interceding with immigrant women on this issue?

3. Would it not be appropriate to take coordinated and effective measures to influence the cultural outlook of immigrant men and women to persuade them to abandon the practice of female genital mutilation in favour of other cultural practices that show greater respect for the physical integrity of women's bodies and the rights of women and children?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(7 July 2000)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that it is difficult to intervene directly in the countries of East Africa where the practice of female genital mutilation is widespread. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) every year two million young girls undergo this procedure, and an increasing number can be found among immigrants and refugee families in Western Europe.

During the last decade female genital mutilation has been recognised by the international community as a profound violation of the human rights of women. The 1993 United Nations (UN) Declaration on violence against Women, the International Conference on population and development in 1994 and the 1995 Beijing platform for action all called on governments and the international community to prohibit female genital mutilation and to eradicate the practice.

In order to outline strategies to eliminate this phenomenon, the WHO, the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) issued in 1997 a landmark joint statement that described the practice of genital mutilation and why it occurs. The new Community framework strategy on gender equality (2001-2005)(1), adopted by the Commission on 7 June 2000, proposes to support a network of national authorities and Community institutions to collect data on gender-related violations of human rights. In 1999 the Commission supported an innovative action research activity with the WHO to implement a multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence.

The Commission is convinced that simply denouncing female genital mutilation and condemning those who perpetrate it would not bring about change. Female genital mutilation will only disappear if people, including women, are convinced that they could give up the practice without giving up the meaningful aspects of their culture. Multi-faceted strategies are needed, including those directed at the education of health and social workers and recognition of the importance of rites of passage. Under Decision No 1400/97/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 1997 adopting a programme of Community action on health monitoring within the framework for action in the field of public health (1997-2001)(2), it is expected that the annual work programme for 2001 will include, as a priority, the subject of reproductive and sexual health. This work programme is due to be adopted by the Commission in the very near future.

One strategic objective in the new Community framework strategy on gender equality is gender equality in civil life. The Commission intends to emphasise the need to change attitudes and will strengthen its information on human rights of women, both within the Community and in the context of development co-operation. In 1999 the Commission approved support ( 470 000) for a pilot-activity by a local organisation in Southern Ethiopia, with the specific purpose of decreasing female genital mutilation by 25 % by 2002. In the implementation of the framework strategy the Commission will do its utmost to ensure that the issue of genital mutilation in the Member States retains its rightful place on the agenda and that it will receive the serious attention that it deserves from the Community.

(1) COM(2000) 335 final.

(2) OJ L 193, 22.7.1997.