05/02/2025 Equality and Non-Discrimination | Women free from violence
On the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) on 6 February, Etilda Gjonaj (Albania, SOC), PACE General Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Co-ordinator of the Parliamentary Network Women Free from Violence, calls for the universal criminalisation of the harmful practice of FGM, in line with Article 38 of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention.
“Member states must raise awareness of this violation of women and girls’ physical integrity, which affects their sexual life. Preventive measures, including risk assessment tools, need to be put in place so that health, social and educational professionals can detect the risk of FGM. Protective measures, such as travel bans to prevent girls from being taken abroad to be subject to FGM, should be applied, too. The low rates of reporting, prosecution, and conviction of this form of violence against women and girls are also a concern.”
In a 2016 Resolution, PACE underlined that FGM is a flagrant violation of women’s and girls’ human rights, and a manifestation of the will to control women's bodies and destroy their intimacy, with irreparable and life-long damage for survivors.
The UN theme for fighting FGM in 2025 is to “Step up the pace” to end FGM, by strengthening alliances and building movements. Sustainable Development Goal 5 includes the elimination of FGM by 2030. “Time is running out”, said Ms Gjonaj. “We must double our efforts to eradicate FGM in Europe and beyond.”