Female Genital Mutilation and Other Harmful Practices

A briefing paper by the Center for Reproductive Rights.

This paper takes an in-depth look at the standards developed by six United Nations (UN) “treaty monitoring bodies,” or committees, in the areas of female genital mutilation (FGM) and other harmful practices.

Following a brief overview of the origin and work of the committees, the briefing paper reviews standards each body has adopted as it has monitored governments’ compliance with their duties under international human rights law.

1. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
2. Committee on the Rights of the Child
3. Human Rights Committee
4. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
5. Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
6. Committee against Torture

The paper concludes with recommendations to the committees for their future treatment of FGM and other harmful practices.