EU’s Leading Support To Eliminate FGM A conversation with Patricia Pennetier, Directorate General on Development and Cooperation, European Commission
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hile strengthening multi-sectoral measures to eliminate FGM will involve addressing root causes of FGM including gender inequality and social norms, integrating FGM in humanitarian actions, accountability measures particularly enhancing the monitoring role of NHRIs is equally critical and important. This is even more urgent as UNFPA and partners take forward the implementation of the commitment of the Nairobi summit on the ICPD 25, reflective of the reaffirmed commitment to zero-tolerance FGM. The role of the NHRIs in preventing FGM is critical, and we acknowledge the EU’s leading support to actualise this, particularly being part of the decision to adopt the HRC 44/16.
on the Elimination of FGM for many years and since mid 2020, the support has been through the Global Spotlight Programme which is mainly established to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls by 2030 as stated in the Strategic Plan of the Fund.
EU has supported the UNICEFUNFPA Global Joint Programme
Actions against harmful practices including FGM is a priority for
This interview seeks to find out how EU is addressing the following root causes of gender inequality, including gender stereotypes, unequal power relations, negative social norms, attitudes, behaviors, and socio economic drivers towards FGM . What enforces the EU’s contribution to the promotion of rights-based FGM prevention and elimination, including the Covid challenges highlighted by HRC 44/16?
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EU external action as recognised both under the EU Action Plan for Human Rights and Democracy, and under the Gender Action Plan III, which highlight the imperative need for the legal prohibition of FGM. Every year, the EU reaffirms its zero tolerance of FGM, whether practiced within the EU or beyond its borders. Despite some noteworthy progress in recent years, figures are still worrisome and are exacerbated by the disruption caused by COVID19 in prevention programmes, seriously undermining progress made towards achieving the SDGs. In this light, besides growing political commitments and investments to end FGM by 2030, further efforts need to be intensified to ensure that FGM is implemented globally and that COVID related obstacles be
addressed.
FGM through the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative whose primary ambition The EU continues to work with is to eliminate all forms of violence determination towards this goal against women and girls in 26 and believes that progress is countries and 6 different regions still possible. Encouraging the with its comprehensive and multiabandonment of FGM requires sectoral approach. In parallel to coordinated and holistic initiatives the operational actions, the EU is that must involve authorities using political and human rights and the entire communities and dialogues with partner countries address fundamental rights and to advocate for the elimination, gender equality. To this end, the prevention and protection from EU has been supporting projects all forms of sexual and GBV, to combat FGM worldwide, including social norms and engaging communities on the harmful practices. need to eliminate FGM and transforming social norms through collective action.
By way of a practical example of what the EU is doing, the initiative supporting UNFPA/UNICEF through the Joint Programme on the Elimination of FGM focuses on strengthening policy development and implementation, while improving access to quality health care, protection, and legal and social services in 18 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (for a total amount of EUR 18 million between 2016-2022). The EU is also contributing to the end of
What is the EU’s take on strategies to change/transform gender dynamics with reference to gender roles as a result of social conservatives negatively impacting women’s decision making to their bodily autonomy, including protecting them from FGM?
An enabling legal and policy framework backed up with sufficient resources and clear commitments at the highest level, and adequate data on which 31
to make informed decisions are crucial for combatting FGM. However, prohibition and criminalisation are not enough for sustained results. With FGM being rooted in social and cultural norms that devalue women and girls, we also need to scale up innovative interventions that raise awareness and address social norms and strengthen social accountability at all levels, including the community level. This is the reason why, to address the root causes of gender inequality and contribute to counter the multiplicity of stereotypes prevailing in many contexts, the EU is taking a gender-transformative approach in its actions against GBV. This means examining, questioning, and changing gender norms and imbalances of power, which disfavour women and girls and lead to harmful practices such as FGM. This means the EU promotes change in social attitudes, including by actively engaging men and boys and by putting a focus on young people as drivers of change. To work efficiently in a sensitive context, it is essential to forge strong partnerships and dialogue with local actors, civil society, GBV survivors,local communities and support women’s organisations. The EU is confident that change is possible and it is happening, but it is a lengthy process and requires relentless efforts. We have seen that in some countries, people and communities have already abandoned FGM. Attitudes, beliefs and norms can change when people understand the hazards of certain practices and
