Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a pressing issue in Europe, with over 600,000 girls and women having been subjected to it, mainly from Africa and Asia. Worldwide, the number of victims is as high as 230 million. FGM involves the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia for non-medical reasons.
At a conference held at the European Parliament, various strategies for preventing this form of sexist and sexual violence were discussed. Despite some progress in breaking the taboo surrounding FGM and encouraging survivors to speak out, there is still a long way to go in changing attitudes.
Survivors themselves have played a key role in raising awareness and advocating against FGM within their communities. However, superstition and social pressures continue to perpetuate the practice in some societies, putting families who oppose it at risk of ostracism.
Italian MEP Cristina Guarda is calling for increased awareness of FGM in Europe, particularly among education and healthcare professionals. The European Union has already taken steps to address the issue, adopting a directive that requires member states to include FGM as a specific criminal offense in their penal codes.
The UN has set a goal to eliminate FGM entirely by 2030. It is crucial for medical staff to be trained to recognize and report signs of violence, in order to better protect the health and well-being of women and girls affected by FGM. Overall, continued efforts and education are needed to eradicate FGM and support survivors in Europe and beyond.
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