Attachments
Executive Summary
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a human rights violation deeply rooted in gender inequality and discrimination. FGM violates various human rights under international human rights law including, among others, the rights to equality, life and health and the rights to be free from discrimination, torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. The failure by States to end this harmful practice against women and girls is a violation of States’ obligations to respect, protect and fulfil the enjoyment of all human rights. These obligations are accompanied by certain human rights accountability mechanisms that are critical in holding States to account for implementing their international and regional human rights obligations and commitments. This report provides a comprehensive compendium of accountability mechanisms at the global, regional, national and community levels that hold national and subnational governments and regional bodies accountable to their obligations and commitments to eliminating FGM. It provides an overview of the mandate of the relevant accountability mechanisms, information on the methods of engagement and examples of recommendations and decisions by the various accountability mechanisms. Several case studies illustrate successful engagement with accountability mechanisms by United Nations agencies and other stakeholders, demonstrating how such engagement has contributed to progress towards eliminating FGM.