HRC58: Annual Discussion on Rights of the Child

This oral statement was broadcasted at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council Annual Discussion on Rights of the Child.

I am Safiya Riyaz and I am making this statement on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) and the Asia Network to End Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C).

Globally, 230 million girls and women have undergone FGM/C. 80 million  of these cases are from Asia, where it is usually performed on young girls without any medical reasons. FGM/C is a gross violation of the health rights and bodily integrity as it is an irreversible procedure to which children cannot consent.

The global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aims to eliminate FGMC by 2030. To meet this target, progress needs to be 27 times faster than it currently is.

We call upon member states to prioritize mainstreaming child rights by:

1. Enacting, strengthening, and implementing legislation prohibiting all forms of FGM/C, including when carried out by health professionals, in line with CEDAW and CRC recommendations,
2. Committing to providing country-level data relating to SDG indicator 5.3.2 and ensuring continued research and data collection to strengthen the evidence base,
3. Elevating survivor voices and prioritizing accessible, comprehensive, culturally sensitive services for FGM/C survivors,
4. Urgently developing a fully costed, evidence-based, national action plan to end FGM/C with a community-based and multi-sectoral approach.

This statement is endorsed by:

1. Sabir Ali, Rural Development Foundation, Pakistan
2. Aarefa Johari, Sahiyo, India
3. Masooma Ranalvi, WeSpeakOut, India
4. Adila Ali, Kemban Kolektif, Malaysia
5. Saza Faradilla, End Female Genital Cutting Singapore, Singapore
6. Equality Now
7. Women’s Action Network, Sri Lanka
8. Dr Hannah Nazri, Malaysian Doctors for Women & Children.
9. Orchid Project