End FGM EU and GAMS Belgique held a workshop for COHOM

After meeting with representatives of the French Presidency of the Council, End FGM EU was invited to hold a workshop on the topic of Female Genital Mutilation for delegates of the Council of the EU’s Working Party on Human rights (COHOM). 

The COHOM deals with human rights aspects of the external relations of the EU and supports the Council's decision-making process in this area.

On 23 March 2022 the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the Network, Xheni Dani and a representative from GAMS Belgique, Marianne Nguena, held an informal meeting with COHOM Delegates. The objectives of the meeting were to:

• Understand in-depth the legal and political issues related to female genital mutilation: protection of SRHR, fight against gender-based violence, deconstruction of gender stereotypes, etc.
• Inform the COHOM delegations of current trends and actions carried out by NGOs in the field

• Give COHOM delegates concrete tools in the framework of text negotiations, including in terms of language

Some 15 delegates attended the meeting, asking questions on the issues presented and what strategies the Council can adopt to negotiate and accelerate action and investments towards the elimination of FGM and the achievement of SDG 5.3.