Brussels, 06/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Women are the victims of genital mutilation in half of the countries of the EU, despite existing laws. Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, wants to eradicate this practice. She has launched a public consultation to take advice on the best way of acting at European level, and has promised zero tolerance. A European awareness campaign will also be funded by the EU.
The stakeholders have until 30 May to communicate their position to the services of the European Commission, after which the executive may put together a legislative proposal. “The EU will fight to end female genital mutilation - not only on International Women's Day, but on all 365 days of the year. I call on everyone with an insight in this area to share their views on how best to tackle female genital mutilation”, said Reding on Wednesday 6 March.
Reding announced this public consultation on the sidelines of the round table on this tricky subject and held two days before International Women's Day (8 March). The Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, members of the European Parliament and human rights campaigners active internationally have addressed this dossier.
The discussions are based on a report published by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), which confirms the presence of actual or potential victims in 13 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom). Although the appropriate legislation is in place, the way it is followed up leaves much to be desired, the report stresses. Mutilation is in some cases practised abroad and the data making it possible to act swiftly and decisively are missing.
In order to ensure zero tolerance towards female genital mutilation, Reding has also announced that money will be made available. €3.7 million will help to fund awareness campaigns in the member states. There will be national campaigns throughout the Union, constituting a major European campaign, she said. The NGOs will have an envelope of €11.4 million to fund projects to support the victims of genital mutilation. Reding went on to stress that these actions will be adapted to the cultural context and be carried out in the most at-risk communities. (MD/transl.fl)