By End FGM European Network
The End FGM European Network is a European umbrella network of 24 organisations working to end female genital mutilation (FGM).
With our 2019 EU election campaign #EU2endFGM, we want to encourage EU candidates to commit in taking concrete action to end female genital mutilation (FGM).
Worldwide 30% of women suffer from physical and/or sexual violence and at least 200 million women and girls are affected by female genital mutilation (FGM), which is a global practice strongly linked to social norms shaped by tradition, and not connected to any specific religion. In the European Union alone, one out of three women experiences physical and/or sexual violence since the age of 15, and currently close to 1 million women and girls live with the lifelong consequences of FGM.
The past European legislature has paid an increasing attention to the issue of violence against women and girls, gender equality and FGM both in Europe and beyond. But there is still a lot to be done, and now it is time to walk the extra mile and scale up those commitments and actions to make sure to deliver a more equal world free from violence to the future generations.
In the run up to the 2019 European Elections, the End FGM European Network and its members are conducting a Campaign in 7 points to ensure violence against women and girls, including FGM, is high on the new EU representatives’ agenda. We invite all candidates to sign our Manifesto here for:
- Ending violence
- Ratification of the Istanbul Convention
- Respectful asylum & migration policies
- Engaging affected communities
- Including young people
- Training professionals
- Building bridges with other regions of the world