Samenvatting

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a traditional practice, which comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the female genitalia, for non-medical reasons. This harmful practice is mostly prevalent in African countries. It is estimated that 100 to 140 million females worldwide have undergone the practice. Another three million females are every year at risk of getting genitally mutilated. FGM is carried out on young girls and women, from infancy to adolescence, depending on the community and tribe. The tradition of female genital mutilation is deeply rooted in the cultures of the communities where the practice is prevalent.

The traditional practice has become a cultural phenomenon in Europe, through the immigration of people from predominantly African countries. Especially, health professionals, teachers and officers of the law became aware of this imported tradition, considering that they have to deal with it in practice. In many European countries, including the Netherlands, FGM has been prohibited by specific legislation or it has been criminalized under the Penal Code. However, legislation to prohibit FGM has incidentally led to a prosecution and it did not stop the continuation of the practice. Also, in several African countries there is specific legislation to prohibit FGM, however in the most African countries the legislation remains vague and in some African countries there is no legislation at all to prevent or prohibit the practice. Furthermore, health professionals and other professionals who have to deal with FGM in practice often do not know how to deal with this tradition.

Many international and regional (non-) governmental organizations have set up programs and local initiatives in the European Union and in Africa to fight this practice which is harmful to the sexual and reproductive health of women. It especially seems that local initiatives in Africa are successful, because of the participatory, non-judgmental and non-threatening approach of the programs. These initiatives involve more education and alternatives for the traditional practice, which is extremely important because FGM as a traditional practice is deep-rooted in the cultural identity of the people who live in the communities where the practice is prevalent.

It is clearly evident that merely legislation which criminalizes FGM in the European Union, as well as in Africa, is not going to be successful regarding the eradication of the practice due to its cultural character. The combination of legislation with local initiatives to prohibit FGM seems to be the most successful approach to abandon this practice. However, there is a need for more clarity regarding the interpretation of the laws concerning the abandonment of FGM in the European Union and in Africa. Therefore, a harmonized policy to abandon the traditional practice is necessary. Also, a guiding protocol for health professionals, teachers and officers of the law is needed. Furthermore, a more intensified cooperation between international and regional (non-) governmental organizations will lead to more community-based initiatives. The combination of a harmonized policy to eradicate FGM in the European Union, as well as in Africa, and more community-based initiatives will hopefully put a halt to this cultural tradition, which has harmed young girls and women for centuries.