TrustLaw, in partnership with UK charity 28 Too Many and the law firms Latham & Watkins, Shearman & Sterling, Cleary Gottlieb, Reed Smith LLP, Omer Abdelati Law Firm, Sharkawy & Sarhan Law Firm, and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie launched the report: “The Law and FGM: An Overview of 28 African Countries” last week.
Through TrustLaw, over 120 lawyers, activists and academics worked tirelessly to produce ground-breaking legal research reports on 28 countries where female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) occurs. The reports highlight examples of best practice, lessons learned and recommendations for the formation of legal frameworks that will contribute to the global elimination of FGM.
There is no other research that reviews the legalities of FGM so comprehensively and at this scale. The easy-to-read format of the overview that the lawyers and 28 Too Many have worked so hard to produce means that the law is now accessible and a powerful tool for those who need it most. On the ground, activists are already using these pioneering reports in a court case in Kenya, in conversation with parliamentarians in Egypt, and in Nigeria in advocacy campaigns.
Lauren Meyer, TrustLaw Deputy Head of Legal said: “It’s not often that you get to see real joy associated with a pro bono project – both from the lawyers involved and the team at 28 Too Many. This group of collaborators were passionate, hard-working and ambitious and they achieved more than we could ever have imagined. It’s a privilege to have worked with them to produce a report that is one-of-a- kind and essential for educating people about FGM.”
“28 Too Many’s motivation and passion drove this project forward and we hope that the end product will be utilized in the fight to eradicate FGM across the world. We really hope that the guide (and the country reports) will help FGM become a historical practice in the affected regions and agree with 28 Too Many’s goal that the comparative guide will become outdated as progress is made in the focus countries.” - J. P. Sweeny, Charlotte Hagan and Boin Cheong, Latham & Watkins.
"We are honoured to have shared the findings of our collaborative research on the law and FGM across 28 African countries. We look forward to taking the conversation forward with partners in the anti-FGM network and widening understanding and knowledge of laws against FGM." - Ann-Marie Wilson, Founder of 28 Too Many.
To read the Impact Story click here.
To read the report click here.
If your organisation is interested in receiving pro bono legal advice or if you are a law firm interested in developing your pro bono work, please contact the TrustLaw team here.
