Towards justice: Global challenges and opportunities in litigating cases of female genital mutilation 

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a globally recognised form of gender-based violence and discrimination, affecting over 230 million women and girls worldwide.  

Strategic litigation can be a powerful tool in the movement to end FGM. To strengthen these efforts, cases relating to FGM – whether prosecutions, civil cases, constitutional cases, or other forms of strategic litigation – need to be periodically examined to determine barriers to access to justice for those who are the most impacted.  

Through TrustLaw, the Foundation’s global pro bono legal network, we connected the global human rights organisation, Equality Now, with legal experts at Covington & Burling LLP for research support.  

The resulting report aims to broaden and deepen our understanding of the use of the law as a tool to eliminate FGM. Its findings are designed to support future litigation efforts, inform stronger and more effective legal strategies, and promote a coordinated, informed and survivor-centred approach to ending FGM. 

Reflecting on the power of legal pro bono, Divya Srinivasan, Global Lead, Ending Harmful Practices at Equality Now, said: 
 
“Laws against FGM exist, but justice is still out of reach for many survivors. The pro bono legal research facilitated by Thomson Reuters Foundation helped us analyse cases across ten countries and exposed systemic failures. These findings will drive our advocacy to strengthen laws and improve justice for women and girls.”