II. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS, CONTINUED

CERD

•          Senegal, CERD, A/57/18 (2002) 72 at para. 440.

440. The Committee notes with satisfaction the State party's efforts to establish institutions for the protection of human rights, such as the Human Rights Committee, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights and the Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Office, and notes the enhanced presence of women in public bodies, their access to ownership of property and the banning of genital mutilation...

•          Ghana, CERD, A/58/18 (2003) 30 at para. 114.

114. While noting the legislative and other measures adopted to eradicate practices that are harmful to the health and dignity of women, the Committee is concerned that some practices, in particular female genital mutilation, degrading treatment of widows and the Trokosi system, still occur, and wishes to be further informed of their ethnic dimensions. The Committee encourages the State party to continue its efforts in this field and refers the State party to its general recommendation XXV (56) of 20 March 2000 on gender-related dimensions of racial discrimination.

•          Mauritania, CERD, A/59/18 (2004) 61 at para. 346.

346. The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of female genital mutilation among some ethnic groups.

The Committee recommends that the State party take all necessary measures to put a stop to this practice. Information and awareness-raising measures aimed specifically at, and designed for, relevant population groups should be adopted.

•          United Republic of Tanzania, CERD, A/60/18 (2005) 67 at para. 348.

348. While welcoming the fact that female genital mutilation has been a criminal offence in the State party since 1998, the Committee is concerned that it is still a persistent practice in some ethnic communities (art. 5).

The Committee recommends that...the State party reinforce the measures adopted to eradicate this persistent practice, in particular through sensitization programmes directed at promoting changes in attitudes towards this practice, in consultation with traditional communities.

ICCPR

•          Sweden, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 57 at para. 79(8).

(8) The Committee notes with concern cases of female genital mutilation and "honour crimes" involving girls and women of foreign extraction (articles 3, 6 and 7 of the Covenant).

The State party should continue its efforts to prevent and eradicate such practices. In particular, it should ensure that offenders are prosecuted, while promoting a human rights culture in the society at large, especially among the most vulnerable sectors of immigrant communities.

•          Yemen, ICCPR, A/57/40 vol. I (2002) 72 at para. 83(6).

(6) The Committee notes with concern the continued practice of female genital mutilation (articles 3, 6 and 7 of the Covenant). It is also concerned at the persistence of domestic violence despite the legislation passed by the State party (articles 3 and 7 of the Covenant).

The State party must pursue its efforts to eradicate such practices. It should in particular ensure that proceedings are instituted against the perpetrators and promote a human rights culture within society along with greater awareness of the rights of women, especially the right to physical integrity...

•          Egypt, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2002) 31 at para. 77(11).

(11) While taking note of the action and awareness campaigns against female genital mutilation, the Committee notes that this practice still continues (article 7 of the Covenant).

The State party should eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation.

•          Togo, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2002) 36 at para. 78(5).

(5) The Committee welcomes the adoption on 17 November 1998 of an Act prohibiting female genital mutilation. The Committee takes note of the State party’s commitment to pursue its efforts in that regard.

•          Mali, ICCPR, A/58/40 vol. I (2003) 47 at para. 81(11).

(11) The Committee notes with concern that a very high percentage of women in Mali have reportedly been subjected to genital mutilation. The Committee welcomes the programmes already implemented by the authorities and non-governmental organizations to combat the practice, but regrets that there is no specific legal prohibition. The State party, moreover, has not been able to provide precise information on the specific results produced by the actions already taken (articles 3 and 7 of the Covenant).

The State party should prohibit and criminalize the practice of female genital mutilation so as to send a clear and strong signal to those concerned. The State party should strengthen its awareness-raising and education programmes in that regard...

•          Uganda, ICCPR, A/59/40 vol. I (2004) 47 at para. 70(10).

(10) The Committee takes note that the State party has acknowledged the persistence of female genital mutilation in some areas of the country, despite article 33, paragraph 6, of the Constitution which prohibits cultures, customs and traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women. The Committee regrets that the State party has not taken all the necessary measures to eradicate this practice (arts. 3, 7 and 26).

The State party should take appropriate measures, as a matter of priority, to outlaw and penalize female genital mutilation and to effectively eradicate it in practice.

•          Benin, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2004) 30 at paras. 83(6) and 83(11).

(6) The Committee commends the adoption of the Act of 3 March 2003, which makes female genital mutilation a punishable offence.

...

(11) The Committee remains concerned at the persistence of female genital mutilation, particularly in certain parts of the country, which constitutes a serious violation of articles 3 and 7 of the Covenant.

The State party should increase its efforts to combat these practices, especially in communities in which they are extremely common. It should effectively ban such practices by means of more awareness campaigns and the criminal prosecution of perpetrators...

•          Kenya, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 44 at para. 86(12).

(12) The Committee remains concerned that, despite the recent legal ban on female genital mutilation (FGM) of children (section 14 of the Children Act (2001)), the practice of FGM persists, particularly in rural areas of the country, and that there is no legal prohibition of FGM for adults (articles 3 and 7 of the Covenant).

The State party should increase its efforts to combat the practice of FGM, including through prohibition of FGM for adults, and, in particular, step up the awareness campaign launched by the Ministry of Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services.

•          Yemen, ICCPR, A/60/40 vol. I (2005) 65 at para. 91(11).

(11) The Committee regrets that insufficient information was provided on the extent to which female genital mutilation is practised in Yemen. While noting that female genital mutilation can no longer be practised in hospitals and health centres, it notes with concern that, according to various sources of information, no general prohibition of those practices has been enacted (arts. 3, 6, and 7).

The State party should increase its efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation and enact a law prohibiting all persons from carrying out the practice...

ICESCR

•          France, ICESCR, E/2002/22 (2001) 121 at para. 856.

856. The Committee welcomes the recent court decisions convicting perpetrators of female genital mutilation.

•          Benin, ICESCR, E/2003/22 (2002) 34 at paras. 166 and 185.

166. The Committee deplores the inadequate action taken by the State party to combat the persistent practice of female genital mutilation, generally of young women and girls.

...

185. The Committee enjoins the Government to redouble its efforts to end the practice of genital mutilation, in particular by passing a law that makes the practice a punishable offence, by establishing mechanisms for the protection of women and through programmes of education and financial support for practitioners of excision who cease their activities...

CEDAW

•          Denmark, CEDAW, A/57/38 part II (2002) 120 at paras. 337 and 338.

337. The Committee is concerned that Danish residents who arrange for female genital mutilation abroad are not liable to prosecution in Denmark unless female genital mutilation is a crime in the country in which it is performed.

338. The Committee urges the State party to penalize all Danish residents who arrange for female genital mutilation regardless of where it is performed in order to eliminate this harmful traditional practice.

•          Uganda, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 164 at paras. 135 and 136.

135. ...The Committee is...concerned that, despite successes achieved in reducing female genital mutilation in some districts in 1996, this practice continues to exist.

136. ...The Committee...recommends that the State party enhance its efforts to address female genital mutilation in order to eradicate this harmful traditional practice.

•          Yemen, CEDAW, A/57/38 part III (2002) 200 at paras. 398 and 399.

398. The Committee is concerned about all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual violence and female genital mutilation...

399. ...With regard to the practice of female genital mutilation, the Committee calls on the State party to enhance its activities to eradicate this harmful, traditional practice, especially through awareness-raising campaigns. In the light of its general recommendation 19, the Committee calls upon the State party to ensure that all forms of violence against women are prosecuted and punished adequately and that victims have immediate access to redress and protection. The Committee requests the State party to ensure the full sensitization of law enforcement officials, the judiciary and the public on all forms of violence against women and girls.

•          Switzerland, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 20 at paras. 118 and 119.

118. The Committee is deeply concerned by the significant number of cases of female genital mutilation among migrant women of African descent.

119. The Committee recommends that the State party urgently take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to eradicate the harmful traditional practice of female genital mutilation.

•          Kenya, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 35 at paras. 213 and 214.

213. The Committee notes with concern that, despite the prohibition of female genital mutilation by the State party, the practice persists and is widely accepted in the country.

214. The Committee recommends that the State party develop a plan of action, including a public-awareness campaign, targeted at both women and men, with the support of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation and encourages the State party to create an enabling environment for effective law enforcement and to devise programmes for alternate sources of income for those who perform female genital mutilation as a means of livelihood.

•          Canada, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 53 at para. 341.

341. The Committee commends the State party for ongoing efforts towards improving the legal and de facto situation of women in Canada; in particular, it notes that the Canadian Human Rights Act as well as provincial and territorial human rights legislation have been amended or reinterpreted through court rulings and that additional laws have been formulated, all of which are directed towards the prohibition of all kinds of discrimination, including, inter alia, the practice of female genital mutilation.

•          Norway, CEDAW, A/58/38 part I (2003) 61 paras. 425 and 426.

425. While noting that the State party has placed the issue of forced marriages and female genital mutilation on the political agenda for the past few years, and has developed action plans and taken other political measures, the Committee is concerned at the extent of these practices.

426. The Committee requests the State party to continue its efforts to eradicate those practices.

•          Ethiopia, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 42 at paras. 251 and 252.

251. The Committee is concerned about the continuing persistence of entrenched traditional discriminatory practices, including the 80 per cent of girls and women who undergo female genital mutilation and inheritance of a widow with all her property, and strong stereotypical attitudes in respect of the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society, which negatively affect women’s enjoyment of their human rights.

252. The Committee urges the State party to increase its efforts to design and implement comprehensive awareness-raising programmes targeting women and men in order to foster a better understanding of equality between women and men at all levels of society, with a view to changing negative social and cultural patterns of conduct and stereotypical attitudes about the roles and responsibilities of women and men in the family and society and to eliminate female genital mutilation and widowhood practices. The Committee also calls upon the State party to periodically review the measures taken in order to better assess their impact...The Committee recommends that the State party take action without delay to end all discriminatory traditional practices.

•          Nigeria, CEDAW, A/59/38 part I (2004) 49 at paras. 288, 299 and 300.

288. The Committee...welcomes the adoption of a number of State laws prohibiting discrimination against women in critical areas such as female genital mutilation, widowhood practices and early marriage. It appreciates the State party’s efforts, in collaboration with civil society organizations, to collate all remaining discriminatory aspects of legal provisions and practices, with a view to eliminating them, and to harmonize statutory, customary and religious laws.

...

299. The Committee expresses concern about the persistence and social acceptability of harmful traditional practices, including widowhood practices, female genital mutilation, and child and forced marriage, despite prohibitions in State or Federal legislation.

300. The Committee urges the State party to place the elimination of such practices high on the agenda of the federal and state governments and to bring to an immediate end the apathy of law enforcement agencies with regard to the implementation of existing legislation. It calls on the State party to intensify its efforts to develop and implement a national plan of action, including public awareness-raising campaigns targeted at women and men, in order to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation and widowhood practices...The Committee encourages the State party to undertake such efforts in collaboration with civil society organizations, women’s non-governmental organizations, and traditional and religious leaders, so as to build alliances and create an enabling environment for the accelerated elimination of such practices, and to achieve compliance with the Convention.

•          Benin, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 116 at paras. 147 and 148.

147. While welcoming the adoption of the Personal and Family Code in 2004, aimed at eliminating discrimination against women and abolishing many discriminatory provisions of the customary law of Dahomey, including polygamy, levirate marriage and discrimination in inheritance rights and the age of marriage, the Committee remains concerned about the application of customary practices and the consequences thereof. It is also concerned about the prevalence of structural patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes that may undermine the effectiveness of the Code and prevent compliance with its provisions. The Committee expresses similar concerns regarding the effectiveness of the law on female genital mutilation...

148. The Committee calls upon the State party to develop and implement comprehensive educational measures and awareness-raising campaigns on the provisions of the Personal and Family Code and on other laws designed to eliminate discrimination against women, so as to achieve full compliance with their provisions...The Committee recommends that those efforts be undertaken in combination with educational programmes designed to raise awareness and challenge discriminatory harmful customs, traditions, practices and stereotypical attitudes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women in the family and society, as required under articles 2(f) and 5(a) of the Convention. The Committee encourages the State party to undertake these efforts in collaboration with civil society and women’s and human rights organizations, and to target women and men in all segments of society, including public officials at all levels of government, community and traditional leaders, employers and the general public.

•          Gambia, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 122 at paras. 195 and 196.

195. The Committee expresses concern at the high incidence of female genital mutilation in the country and at the lack of legislation, policies and programmes aimed at eradicating that practice.

196. The Committee urges the State party to adopt and adequately implement legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation, and to ensure that offenders are adequately prosecuted and punished. It also recommends that the State party develop a plan of action, including public awareness-raising campaigns, targeted at both women and men, with the support of civil society, to eliminate the practice of female genital mutilation.

•          Burkina Faso, CEDAW, A/60/38 part II (2005) 144 at paras. 341 and 342.

341. While welcoming legislation prohibiting female genital mutilation, forced and early marriage, levirate and sororate, dowry and practices that prevent women from owning land and inheriting from their husbands, the Committee remains concerned about the continuing strong prevalence of patriarchal attitudes and deep-rooted stereotypes and of customs and traditions that discriminate against women, particularly women in rural areas, and constitute violations of their human rights. The Committee is concerned that these practices persist in contravention of the provisions of the Convention, as well as national legislation. The Committee is also concerned that women are not informed of remedies under relevant legislation.

342. The Committee calls upon the State party to take all necessary measures to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Convention, the Individual and Family Code, the Penal Code and other laws in regard to harmful traditional or customary practices that violate women’s rights. The Committee recommends that these efforts be undertaken in combination with educational programmes designed to raise awareness and challenge discriminatory customs and traditions and stereotypic attitudes regarding the roles and responsibilities of women in the family and society, as required under articles 2(f) and 5(a) of the Convention. The Committee encourages the State party to undertake these efforts in collaboration with civil society and women’s and human rights organizations, and target women and men in all segments of society, including public officials at all levels of government and community and traditional leaders, as well as the general public...

CAT

•          Cameroon, CAT, A/59/44 (2003) 23 at paras. 43 and 47.

43. The Committee is...concerned about:

...

(b) The absence of legislation banning female genital mutilation;

...

47. The Committee...recommends that the Cameroonian authorities should:

...

(c) Enact a law banning female genital mutilation;

...

CRC

•          Mauritania, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 8 at paras. 70 and 71.

70. While noting the measures taken by the State party to combat the traditional practices of female genital mutilation and forced feeding, the Committee is nevertheless concerned at the continuing use of these practices, especially in rural areas.

71. In light of article 24 (3), of the Convention, the Committee urges the State party:

(a) To prohibit, and take action to end, the practices of female genital mutilation and forced feeding;

(b) To raise awareness of their harmful effects;

(c) To seek assistance from UNICEF and WHO in this regard; and

(d) To take advantage of the efforts in this regard made by other States in the region.

•          Kenya, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 21 at paras. 128 and 129.

128. The Committee is deeply concerned that female genital mutilation (FGM) is not prohibited by law and is still widely practised in the State party. Concern is also expressed about the persistent practice of other harmful traditional practices, including early and forced marriages.

129. The Committee recommends that the State party take legislative and awareness-raising measures to prohibit and eradicate the practice of FGM and other traditional practices harmful to the health, survival and development of children, boys as well as girls. The Committee urges the State party to introduce sensitization programmes for practitioners and the general public to change traditional attitudes and discourage harmful practices.

•          Cameroon, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 71 at paras. 373 and 374.

373. While noting that the prevalence of female genital mutilation is not as high in the State party as in other countries of the region, the Committee is concerned at the use of this practice in the State party and at the lack of legal prohibition or national strategy of prevention of this practice.

374. The Committee urges the State party to adopt legislation prohibiting the practice of female genital mutilation and to implement programmes to sensitize the population about the harmful effects of this practice. The Committee recommends that the State party take advantage of the efforts in this regard made by other States in the region.

•          Gambia, CRC, CRC/C/111 (2001) 89 at paras. 446 and 447.

446. While the Committee notes the launch in March 1997 of the First National Action Plan for the Eradication of Female Genital Mutilation, it remains concerned that female genital mutilation (FGM) is not prohibited by law and is still widely practised in the State party. Concern is also expressed about the persistent use of other harmful traditional practices, including early, consanguine and forced marriages.

447. The Committee recommends that the State party take legislative and awareness-raising measures to combat and eradicate the persistent practice of FGM and other traditional practices harmful to the health, survival and development of children, especially girls. The Committee urges the State party to introduce sensitization programmes for practitioners and the general public to encourage change in traditional attitudes and discourage harmful practices.

•          Guinea-Bissau, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 12 at paras. 72 and 73.

72. Noting the work undertaken to address female genital mutilation and other harmful practices, including through international cooperation, the Committee remains deeply concerned that:

(a) As indicated in the State party’s report, the early marriage of girls - often around the age of 13 or 14 - is common (see report, para.33) and can lead to poor health for girls;

(b) Female genital mutilation is practised widely within certain ethnic groups, especially the Fulas and the Mandinkas;

(c) As indicated in the State party’s report (para. 202), traditional food taboos are common and thought to be one cause of malnutrition among children and mothers.

73. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Make every effort to combat practices involving the early marriage of girls, including through the involvement of community leaders and the use of education campaigns;

(b) Continue and strengthen its efforts to end practices of female genital mutilation, for example through legislative prohibition, through the implementation and enforcement of legislation and through public awareness campaigns;

(c) Take steps to end the practise of harmful traditional food taboos by children and mothers;

(d) Strengthening and further supporting the work of the Committee against harmful practices;

(e) Seek cooperation with countries in the region that have a positive experience in combating these harmful practices.

•          Niger, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 37 at paras. 177 and 178.

177. While noting the efforts of the State party to prevent and combat harmful traditional practices, the Committee is concerned at the persistence of such practices, including female genital mutilation, the removal of the uvula, early and forced marriages, and forced feeding.

178. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Adopt the bill to prohibit female genital mutilation;

(b) Take legislative and awareness raising measures to prohibit and eradicate all kinds of traditional practices harmful to the health, survival and development of children, boys as well as girls;

(c) Reinforce its sensitization programmes, with the involvement of traditional leaders, practitioners and the general public, to change traditional attitudes and discourage harmful practices, in particular in rural areas;

(d) Find alternative employment for practitioners.

•          Switzerland, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 78 at paras. 344 and 345.

344. ...[T]he Committee is concerned at cases of female genital mutilation performed abroad.

345. The Committee recommends that the State party

...

(d) Develop awareness campaigns targeted at the relevant population to put an end to the practice of female genital mutilation and to conduct a comprehensive study on this issue.

•          Spain, CRC, CRC/C/118 (2002) 117 at paras. 507 and 508.

507. The Committee expresses its concern at reports that female genital mutilation is practised in Spain on girls of sub-Saharan origin.

508. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Undertake a study on the extent and nature of female genital mutilation practised in Spain or abroad on girls who live in Spain;

(b) Organize an information and awareness campaign, taking into account the result of the study, to prevent this practice; and

(c) Take the necessary steps to prohibit it.

•          United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 23 at paras. 133 and 134.

133. While welcoming the decline in infant mortality rates and the new focus on children in the planning of the national health service, the Committee remains concerned at...the persistence of female genital mutilation despite its illegality.

134. The Committee recommends that the State party take all appropriate measures to... enforce, through educational and other measures, the prohibition of female genital mutilation.

•          Sudan, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 53 at paras. 224, 266 and 267.

224. The Committee welcomes...the State party’s various measures to improve respect for the rights of women, including the campaigns against female genital mutilation...

...

266. While noting the efforts undertaken to end female genital mutilation, the Committee remains deeply concerned that it continues to be practised widely.

267. The Committee recommends that the State party continue and strengthen its efforts to end the practice of female genital mutilation and to seek cooperation with other countries in the region with a positive experience in combatting this harmful practice. Religious and community leaders should be mobilized in this regard.

•          Burkina Faso, CRC, CRC/C/121 (2002) 103 at paras. 471 and 472.

471. While welcoming the prohibition of female circumcision under the new Penal Code and the new structure of the National Committee to Combat Female Circumcision, the Committee is concerned that female circumcision is still widely practised in the State party. In addition, the Committee is concerned at the use of other traditional harmful practices, such as food taboos.

472. The Committee urges the State party to continue its efforts to end the practice of female genital mutilation and to combat food taboos which negatively affect the health of children, inter alia, through enforcement of legislation and implementation of programmes sensitizing the population to their harmful effects.

•          Eritrea, CRC, CRC/C/132 (2003) 8 at paras. 27, 69 and 70.

27. The Committee notes with appreciation the State party’s successful efforts, following its independence in 1993:

...

(d) To develop a strategy and programmes to combat female genital mutilation;

...

69. While the Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of a strategy to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM), it is very concerned at the widespread practice of FGM, which affects almost 90 per cent of girls in the State party. It is also concerned about other harmful traditional practices, including early marriage, which contributes to the high rate of maternal mortality.

70. The Committee recommends that the State party continue to strengthen the implementation of its Strategy to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation (1999) and undertake legislative reform to expressly prohibit the practice. It also recommends that the State party undertake similar educational and awareness programmes, in cooperation with NGOs and community leaders, with regard to other harmful traditional practices such as early marriage.

•          Germany, CRC, CRC/C/137 (2004) 51 at paras. 297 and 298.

297. The Committee notes that the prohibition on the practice of female genital mutilation is covered under criminal law, but expresses its concern at reports that female genital mutilation is practised in the State party on girls from sub-Saharan countries.

298. The Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Undertake a study on the extent and nature of female genital mutilation practised in the State party or abroad on girls who live in Germany;

(b) Organize an information and awareness-raising campaign, taking into account the results of the study, to prevent this practise;

(c) Involve in this work non-governmental organizations that are active in this field;

(d) Give priority to the elimination of female genital mutilation in its programme of international cooperation by, inter alia, extending financial and technical assistance to countries of origin where female genital mutilation is practised that have active programmes designed to eliminate this practice.

•          Liberia, CRC, CRC/C/140 (2004) 67 at paras. 354 and 355.

354. The Committee welcomes the activities and awareness-raising campaigns carried out by the National Association for Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children (NATPAH) on female genital mutilation. However, the Committee is concerned about its widespread practice in the State party.

355. The Committee urges the State party to take immediate steps to end the practice of female genital mutilation, inter alia, by creating and enforcing legislation and through the implementation of programmes sensitizing the population about its harmful effects. The Committee recommends that the State party take advantage of the efforts in this regard made by other States in the region.

•          Austria, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 47 at paras. 265 and 266.

265. While welcoming the legal measures to prohibit and prosecute cases of female genital mutilation, the Committee is concerned that this practice involving girls and young women in the context of immigrant communities still occurs in Austria and abroad where certain children are taken to perform the procedure and brought back.

266. The Committee recommends that the State party strengthen its efforts to prevent and eliminate this practice by conducting well-targeted and appropriate educational campaigns in the context of religious communities and by considering the possibility of making punishable by law the acts of those involved in the performance of female genital mutilation outside Austria.

•          Togo, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 104 at paras. 569 and 570.

569. The Committee welcomes the promulgation of Act No. 98-106 prohibiting female genital mutilation. However, the Committee is deeply concerned at its persistence along with other practices harmful to the health of children, particularly the girl child, including forced and early marriages, dowry disputes, initiation rites such as scarification, and rites regarding girls training in voodoo priesthood.

570. While noting the measures taken to combat harmful traditional practices, the Committee recommends that the State party:

(a) Evaluate the campaign against female genital mutilation undertaken in 1998 in collaboration with the Division for the Advancement of Women and UNICEF;

(b) Strengthen existing measures and adopt further measures, including by establishing and implementing international and bilateral agreements and programmes with neighbouring States and by working with traditional and religious leaders, to ensure that harmful traditional practices are effectively banned;

(c) Using the media, raise awareness within the family and extended family and among traditional and religious leaders of the harmful impact of female genital mutilation and other harmful traditional practices on the psychological and physical health and welfare of the girl child as well as her future family;

(d) Assist and empower practitioners of female genital mutilation to find an alternative source of income;

(e) Continue discussions with voodoo priests to ensure that the best interests of the girl child are protected at all times;

(f) Continue and strengthen its cooperation in this regard with, among others, UNICEF and the Division for the Advancement of Women.

•          Nigeria, CRC, CRC/C/146 (2005) 135 at paras. 720-722.

720. The Committee welcomes the introduction of a bill on violence against women in Parliament in May 2003, aimed to prohibit forms of violence such as harmful traditional practices and domestic violence, including marital rape. However, it reiterates its concern at the widespread and continuing existence of harmful traditional practices in the State party, most notably the practice of female genital mutilation, as well as scarification and ritual killing of children which pose very serious threats to children, in particular girl children.

721. The Committee is concerned at the lack of legal prohibition and sufficient interventions on the part of the State party to address harmful traditional practices. The Committee is also concerned at the lack of support services available to protect girls who refuse to undergo female genital mutilation and of services to rehabilitate girl victims of that practice.

722. The Committee recommends that the State party, as a matter of urgency, take all necessary measures to eradicate all traditional practices harmful to the physical and psychological well-being of children, by strengthening awareness-raising programmes. The Committee further recommends the State party to adopt federal legislation prohibiting such practices and encourage further legal changes at the State level, in particular, female genital mutilation, as well as measures to provide support for girls at risk and girls who refuse to undergo female genital mutilation, and provide recovery services for victims of this harmful traditional practice.

•          Yemen, CRC, CRC/C/150 (2005) 161 at paras. 789 and 790.

789. While taking note of the efforts made by the State party to address the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM) and harmful traditional practices, the Committee reiterates its concern at the existence of harmful traditional practices in certain regions of the State party, including FGM, early marriages and deprivation of education.

790. The Committee recommends that the State party, as a matter of urgency, undertake all necessary measures to eradicate harmful traditional practices, particularly those affecting the girl child, and those harmful to the physical and psychological well-being of children.