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Recommendations for U.S. Foreign Policy Action to End FGM/C
Harmful practices like female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) require multisectoral, holistic, and community-driven responses that engage stakeholders from individuals and families to communities and national decision-makers. These responses should be informed by the drivers of FGM/C within those communities, and could include engaging with religious leaders, increasing access to quality education for girls, and more. The loss of American leadership on ending FGM/C has left a vacuum where vital supports once stood for access to education, women’s economic empowerment, and health services for girls and their families. U.S. policymakers must reassert leadership and take decisive action to end this harmful practice.
Female genital mutilation/cutting is a human rights violation and an extreme form of gender-based violence, recognized under international human rights law. The procedure can cause short- and long-term physical and mental health consequences.
Harmful practices like FGM/C require multisectoral, holistic, and community-driven responses that engage stakeholders from individuals and families to communities and national decision-makers.
The loss of American leadership on ending FGM/C has left a vacuum where vital supports once stood for access to education, women’s economic empowerment, and health services for girls and their families. U.S. policymakers must reassert leadership and take decisive action to end this harmful practice.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Congress should allocate at least $5 million through annual appropriations to the U.N. Joint Programme to Eliminate FGM/C, consistent with funding levels since FY18.
- Congress should allocate no less than $7 million from the America First Opportunity Fund to prevent and respond to FGM/C in high prevalence countries and communities, especially through grassroots organizations that will offer culturally appropriate responses.
- The State Department should ensure diplomacy at bilateral and multilateral fora urges countries to prevent and respond to the harmful practice of FGM/C in coordination with other donor countries and high prevalence countries.
- The State Department should report on FGM/C in the annual State Department Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, inclusive of prevalence rates, legal frameworks, and enforcement of those laws and policies.