Brussels, 06/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 6 February - the International Day against Female Genital Mutilation - the EU called again for zero tolerance on female genital mutilation in Europe and worldwide. This practice affects 125 million girls and women worldwide and 500,000 in the EU alone.
In a joint statement on 6 February, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Vera Jourova and European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said that the EU is fighting female genital mutilation on numerous fronts.
To help eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation in Europe, the EU is soon to put an information platform on line that is intended for professionals (including medical personnel, judges, asylum service staff, teachers and the police) who might be in contact with the victims or girls at risk of female genital mutilation.
A sum of €4.5 million will support projects in Europe this year. The EU also contributes to action for prevention or protection in Africa (for example in Uganda, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Mauritania, Djibouti, Senegal, Benin and Togo), as well as in Yemen. (MD)