Global Consultation on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting

This 112-page technical report, published by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is based on deliberations of a global consultation held in July 2007 and contains research findings concerning global trends and the prevalence of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) and its linkages with maternal and newborn health. It describes changing patterns and practices, including medicalisation, and analyses the threat FGM/C poses to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as its economic and health costs. It identifies important lessons and discusses case studies in detail as well as the application of theories as a basis for accelerating the abandonment process. The report shares knowledge provided by research institutions, foundations, lawyers, medical professionals, religious scholars, development partners, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that would be difficult to find elsewhere. It is designed to be a resource for those involved in the FGM/C abandonment movement, and for sharing the latest techniques and challenges in advocating for the acceleration of abandoning FGM/C.

The report is divided according to discussions held over 13 different sessions. These sessions include global trends in FGM and linkages with maternal and newborn morbidity; FGM practices and emerging trends that sustain the practice; the link between FGM and the achievement of the MDGs; cost implications of FGM; field experiences; strategies and good practices for the abandonment of FGM, assessment, monitoring and evaluation; gaps in policy and law; culturally sensitive approaches and emerging challenges; the importance of building capacity for implementers and advocates; resource mobilisation; global partnerships; and the way forward.

As far as strategies that work, the report contains case studies on a number of different approaches including: social convention theory, diffusion models, and social networking; community conversations; strategies that involve coordinated collective abandonment; and using approaches directed towards gender equality, and which emphasise youth participation. Many of the case studies also include lessons learned. For example, community dialogue should be neither too long nor too short, but allow enough time to attain insight and to act. Also, utilising existing community structures and traditional enforcement mechanisms employed at the community level are more effective in abandoning harmful traditional practices than legal measures. According to the case studies, community-based follow-up mechanisms sustain results and prevent relapse, and community-led interventions and community capacity-building are essential for the gradual reduction and abandonment of FGM.

The participants closed the consultation with a Declaration that called on medical professionals, governments, religious and traditional leaders, and development partners to accelerate support and action to eradicate FGM/C.