Support Services Position Paper and Infographic

Over the past years, the focus of the EU and national governments on efforts to end FGM has been mostly on the prevention and prosecution of FGM. Support services and care for girls and women who are living with the consequences of the practice often do not get the attention they deserve.

End FGM European Network recognises the importance of the provision of support services for Survivors of female genital mutilation (FGM). It has been estimated by the European Union (EU) that around 600.000 women and girls are living with the lifelong physical and psychological consequences of FGM in Europe. Moreover, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that every year, approximately 20.000 female asylum seekers coming to Europe might be affected by FGM.

In this position paper and infographic, we focus on the provision of support services aiming to provide health care, including counselling or access to health care, for Survivors of FGM in Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.