END FGM European Campaign
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
New website tracks EU response to female genital mutilation
(Brussels, 8 September 2009) END FGM European Campaign launches its today. The website provides an online identity to the Amnesty International campaign which is committed to ensuring that the European Union (EU) delivers a definitive strategy to end female genital mutilation (FGM) in Europe and to protect women and girls who flee their countries for fear of being mutilated.
Targeting the EU, the website raises the agenda of preventing female genital mutilation in Europe. The website tracks the response of EU institutions as well as the Council of Europe to assess each development on the issue of FGM. The website will soon have an interactive map of Europe which will provide information on prevalence rates and legislation on FGM in each EU member state.
Female genital mutilation is a gross violation of human rights. The European Parliament estimates 500,000 girls and women living in Europe are suffering with the lifelong consequences of female genital mutilation. The END FGM European Campaign is working with 13 organisations across EU member states to protect the rights of these young girls and women as well as those at risk of FGM.
To learn more about female genital mutilation or the END FGM European Campaign, go to www.endfgm.eu
For further information: Prerna Humpal, Media Officer, END FGM European Campaign
Email: Prerna Humpal
Telephone: +32 2 548 2776