EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 88/712

(2004/C 88 E/0733)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0841/04

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(9 March 2004)

Subject: Female sexual mutilation

More than a hundred million women in the world have suffered severe sexual mutilation, and every year two and a half million fall victim to various barbaric acts that kill huge numbers of teenage girls. In the European Union mutilation of this kind, which seriously disables women both physically and mentally, is spreading at an increasingly alarming rate. This situation is totally contrary to the rules on human rights and dignity of the individual and to every law governing protection and inviolability of the human person.

Why has 8 March not been dedicated to the fight to eradicate female sexual mutilation?

Furthermore, why has no directive yet been issued to lay down rules prohibiting female sexual mutilation and providing for proper education on the subject, especially for immigrants from countries where such customs are still permitted?

Lastly, why has no provision been made for trade and cooperation agreements to include a binding clause obliging the governments of the countries concerned to combat the spread of female sexual mutilation on their territory?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(22 April 2004)

The Commission and the international community have recognised female genital mutilation (FGM) as a profound violation of the human rights of women. (Beijing Platform of Action and Convention against all Forms of Discrimination against Women).

However, only in three European countries – Sweden, the United Kingdom and Norway- are there specific laws prohibiting all or some forms of the practice of female genital mutilation. Sweden introduced its relevant legislation as far back as 1982. The United Kingdom outlawed the practice in 1985 by passing the Prohibition of Female Circumcision Act. Norway followed the example of these countries in 1998. In the rest of the Member States, there are only general laws prohibiting serious bodily injury without making specific reference to female genital mutilation.

Pursuing and defending the values of the Union which are built around justice, equality between women and men and human rights is an essential task of the Commission. Therefore, it cannot tolerate, within the Union's borders or elsewhere in the world, practices such as female genital mutilation, which do not belong in modern society and which, in particular, subjugate women.

The Commission holds the view that female genital mutilation will only disappear if people, including women, become convinced that they can give up the practice without giving up the related aspects of their culture. To this end, the Commission considers that multifaceted strategies are needed, including actions directed at the education of health and social workers. The dissemination of appropriate information emphasising the dangerous health consequences is another important tool.

The Commission's Daphne programme to combat violence against children, young people and women (2000-2003) made FGM a priority in its annual programme (and call for proposals) for two consecutive years in 2001 and 2002. This resulted in the funding of ten projects on this specific subject, of which six are for a two-year duration, which means that these actions will tackle the subject in depth. These actions represent European funding of more than EUR 1,6 million.

Using the Daphne programme to combat this phenomenon assists grassroots level organisations to collaborate with each other, but also with the academic world and the authorities, to tackle this problem in the field and, most of the time, with the direct involvement of the victims. The Daphne II programme (2004-2008) will be approved soon and will pursue this combat.

The overall international theme for 8 March (International Women's Day) is chosen by the United Nations. The Commission also chooses a specific theme for 8 March each year: in 2003 this was female genital mutilation, but there are no plans to repeat the same theme each year.

On a global basis the vast majority of genital mutilations are performed in developing countries and not in Europe. The Commission recognises this and in Part III of the Cotonou Agreement, which deals with Cooperation Strategies, requires that special attention is paid to: integrating population issues into development strategies in order to improve reproductive health, primary health care, family planning; and prevention of female genital mutilation (Article 25.1.c). In our negotiations with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries we raise priorities related to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including FGM, and will continue to do so. Many countries are already taking steps to outlaw the practice of FGM – including putting appropriate legislation in place, and setting up appropriate educational programmes. The Commission believes that an approach based on dialogue and cooperation is the appropriate approach, and does not think that a binding clause in trade and cooperation agreements obliging countries to take action would be helpful.