On this International Day of Zero Tolerance of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), it is important to highlight both progress and challenges in tackling this harmful practice across Europe in recent years. The GREVIO thematic evaluation reports focusing on the theme of “Building trust by delivering support, protection and justice” published last year identified the following:
- Sweden has introduced travel bans to prevent children from being taken abroad for FGM and child marriage.
- Finland is working towards explicitly criminalising FGM, including cases where victims are taken abroad, with a draft bill in the making to strengthen legal protection.
- Spain’s new Organic Law on Sexual Freedom has criminalised all sexual acts without free consent as well as FGM. However, GREVIO noted that data on FGM and forced marriage remained unavailable to the public.
- Denmark has been urged by GREVIO to enhance data collection on FGM in the healthcare sector and improve training for teachers and social workers to help identify and report cases. Strengthening protection measures remains a priority.
The Istanbul Convention standards on FGM:The Istanbul Convention remains Europe’s most comprehensive legal instrument against gender-based violence, including FGM. It requires the following action from parties:
- Recognition of FGM as a criminal offence under Article 38, requiring all parties to prosecute perpetrators—including cases committed abroad.
- Increased prevention: parties must conduct awareness campaigns, train professionals, and ensure better reporting mechanisms to protect girls at risk.
- Victims must receive specialist support services, including medical, legal, and psychological assistance .
- Risk of FGM can serve as grounds for asylum, ensuring that women and girls seeking protection from this practice are not sent back to unsafe environments.
The Road Ahead
Despite some legislative progress, gaps in implementation, awareness, and data collection hinder the work to end FGM. On the basis of GREVIO’s findings and the provisions of the Istanbul Convention, more efforts are needed to ensure stronger enforcement of laws, better protection for survivors, and more robust prevention efforts.
