Female Genital Mutilation

Anika Rahman is the director of the International Program of The Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP). Nahid Toubia is currently an associate professor at Columbia University School of Public Health and director of Research Action and Information Network for the Bodily Integrity of Women (RAINBO).

• 1. Introduction2. International Human Rights Law: A Framework for Social Justice3. Duties of Governments under Human Rights Law4. Recommendations for Governments5. Legal and Policy Strategies for NGOsCountry Profiles:Australia / Belgium / Benin / Burkina Faso / Cameroon / Canada / Central African Republic / Chad / Côte d'Ivoire / Democratic Republic of Congo Denmark / Djibouti / Egypt / Eritrea / Ethiopia / France / The Gambia / Germany / Ghana / Guinea-Bissau / Guinea / Italy / Kenya / Liberia / Mali / Mauritania / The Netherlands / New Zealand / Niger / Nigeria / Norway / Senegal / Sierra Leone / Somalia / Sudan / Sweden / Tanzania / Togo / Uganda / United Kingdom / United States of America

'This book is a testament to the heroic victories being won by a number of countries against female genital mutilation. UNICEF welcomes this valuable exposition of the steps and processes involved in enacting legislation and policies to end this abuse of girls' and women's rights. It contributes towards a better understanding of what can and must be done -- through education, mobilization, renewed and strengthened consensus, expanded partnerships and stronger legislative and policy foundations -- to protect the rights of girls and women and end FGM.' Carol Bellamy, Executive Director, UNICEF 'For all those working on the elimination of female genital mutilation, this book - the culmination of extensive research and collaboration - provides a framework and recommendations for practical legal policy and action. It is very significant in that it shows the tremendous changes that are taking place around the world in safeguarding the rights of all people and in improving their well-being.' Nafis Sadik, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund 'Female genital mutilation affects the physical integrity of women and children and as such should be condemned. In doing so, it is necessary to act with tact and patience, bringing communities to understand that their cultural values are not to be confused with cultural practices, and that those practices can be changed without adversely affecting values. This book will perform an educational function in setting out the international legal framework in detail.' Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. 'Women's groups across the globe have mobilized around important health, social and cultural dimensions of FGM and have gained its recognition as a critical human rights issue. But never before have we had such a comprehensive worldwide review of legislation addressing this harmful practice which affects some 130 million women and girls. CRLP and RAINBO have provided an indispensable resource for activists, scholars and advocates interested in women's bodily integrity and human rights.' Rosalind Petchesky, Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies, Hunter College, City University of New York 'Very helpful for courses in international law or development, social change, political science, and gender and development' NWSA Journal