FGM Model Law (March 2020)

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 11:20 AM
Author: 28 Too Many, Thomson Reuters Foundation
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Female Genital Mutilation is a global issue, affecting over 200 million women and girls worldwide. In 2016, 28 Too Many - a UK-based charity that aims to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) where it is still practised – contacted TrustLaw to request pro bono assistance to produce legal country reports setting out the legal framework and status of FGM/C in 28 African countries. The result was a two-year collaboration with a team of pro bono lawyers to produce a comprehensive series of international reports on the law and FGM, which are already making a meaningful difference in the fight against FGM.

Building on the success of the reports, this Model Law was the next phase of the 28 Too Many FGM Project. Existing laws in most countries which are meant to address the practice are seen as inadequate and there was no international guidance on writing an anti-FGM law to date. Having identified this gap, 28 Too Many once again worked closely with TrustLaw and the team of pro bono lawyers to produce this FGM Model Law.

The Model Law was coordinated by Reed Smith LLP, working with lawyers from Cleary Gottlieb and Latham & Watkins together with Amy Hurn and Caroline Pinder at 28 Too Many. It serves as a comprehensive guide for policymakers and stakeholders, as well as NGOs and activists. It highlights the key features that any anti-FGM law (whether regional or national) should include and provides a benchmark for assessing the strengths and weaknesses of current legislative frameworks in different jurisdictions where FGM is still practised.

Read more on the initial legal reports here