USAID Policy on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
Effective Date: 09/01/2000
I. Policy
By this guidance, USAID recognizes
FGM/C as a harmful, traditional practice that violates
the health and human rights of women and hinders development.
USAID opposes any practice of
or support for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and works
toward the goal of total elimination of FGM/C. Under
no circumstances does USAID support the practice of
FGM/C by medical personnel.
As a highly sensitive and culturally
specific problem, USAID believes that entire communities
must be involved in efforts to eliminate FGM/C to create
an enabling environment for change. This policy on
FGM/C is designed to support the Agency Strategic Plan
and other existing U.S. Government (USG) policies,
in addition to supporting the international community's
policies and efforts to reduce the incidence of FGM/C
in the affected areas.
While taking into account the Agency's
staffing, programmatic, and financial constraints,
USAID will undertake the following actions to ensure
that the issue of FGM/C is effectively integrated into
and deliberately considered within Agency policy,
programs, and strategies:
- Update the Agency strategy to
guide future activities in the areas of health (especially
reproductive health), human rights, education, gender,
democracy, governance and other relevant areas;
- Support indigenous NGOs, women's
groups, community leaders, and religious organizations
to ensure that eradication activities are culturally
appropriate and will reach all stakeholders, including
men and boys;
- Acknowledge that, while USAID
supports host country legislation against the practice
of FGM/C, a successful elimination process is one
that ends the demand for the practice. Therefore,
USAID will continue to work in close partnership
with indigenous groups at the community level, as
well as with global and national policymakers, to
promote broader education and dissemination of information
on the harmful effects of FGM/C in order to reduce
demand;
- Establish a regular liaison with
other donors/activist groups to gather information
and develop a framework for research and advocacy
that will enhance collaboration and coordination
of elimination efforts, share lessons learned, and
stimulate public understanding of FGM/C as a health-damaging
behavior and a violation of fundamental human rights.
USAID has established an Intra-Agency
Working Group on FGM/C that has taken the lead in building
capacity and commitment to address FGM/C eradication.
Members represent Africa Bureau, Global Health, Office
of Women in Development, Bureau for Policy and Program
Coordination, and Bureau of Humanitarian Response.
The Agency's approach is cross-sectoral, recognizing
that FGM/C affects female reproductive health, the status
of women, democracy and human rights.
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