Female Genital Mutilation in the Netherlands, a matter of human rights?

This summary provides insight into the analysis by VON (Refugee Organisations in the Netherlands) of the Dutch governmental policy on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) from a human rights perspective. The main question of this analysis is to what extent the Dutch policy on combating FGM complies with the requirements of human rights. The sub question which is also focused upon is which adjustments need to be made to the policy in order to achieve compliance with the international legal norms. HeRWAI (tool developed by Aim for human rights, assessing women's health rights) was used for this analysis.

The main conclusion is that the Dutch policy on FGM is partly in compliance with the requirements of human rights. Additionally, a large number of adjustments of the policy are necessary. There are five main shortcomings in the policy namely:

1. little attention for human rights as basic principle of policy

2. prevention and enforcement are mixed up

3. no attention for girls and women whom have been circumcised

4. little attention on participation of the target group

5. no structural anchoring of the policy

The full analysis in Dutch will be available in the soon.

Geographic Coverage

Netherlands

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