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Protecting Girls from FGM & Other Harmful Practices:
Protecting Girls from FGM & Other Harmful Practices:
Challenges and Opportunities for Legal Intervention in Africa
Challenges and Opportunities for Legal Intervention in Africa
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Co-AuthorsCo-Authors
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
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Co-AuthorsCo-Authors
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
Professor Diane Rosenfeld
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
Professor Diane Rosenfeld
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Co-AuthorsCo-Authors
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
Professor Diane Rosenfeld
Rachel Sandel Morse
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
Professor Diane Rosenfeld
Rachel Sandel Morse
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Co-AuthorsCo-Authors
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
Professor Diane Rosenfeld
Rachel Sandel Morse
Liane Ong
Efua Dorkenoo, OBE
Professor Diane Rosenfeld
Rachel Sandel Morse
Liane Ong
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Focus of ResearchFocus of Research
Legal Framework
Child Protection
Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and United Kingdom
Legal Framework
Child Protection
Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania and United Kingdom
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Research ObjectivesResearch Objectives
Review current national legislative measures
Examine existing legal intervention strategies
Identify emerging best practices Identify challenges to implementing legal
interventions Recommend a child protection framework
Review current national legislative measures
Examine existing legal intervention strategies
Identify emerging best practices Identify challenges to implementing legal
interventions Recommend a child protection framework
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MethodologyMethodology
Literature Review
Legal Research
Correspondence Interviews
Participatory Workshop in Nairobi
Literature Review
Legal Research
Correspondence Interviews
Participatory Workshop in Nairobi
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The ProblemThe Problem
Child victims Cultural values and inertia Fear of pushing the practice underground Multiple sectors Insufficient resources
Child victims Cultural values and inertia Fear of pushing the practice underground Multiple sectors Insufficient resources
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The Laws -- BasicThe Laws -- Basic
In 1994, Ghana criminalized FGM:
“Whoever excises, infibulates or otherwise mutilates the whole or any part of the labia minora, labia majora and the clitoris of another person commits an offence and shall be guilty of a second-degree felony and liable on conviction to imprisonment of not less than three years.”
In 1994, Ghana criminalized FGM:
“Whoever excises, infibulates or otherwise mutilates the whole or any part of the labia minora, labia majora and the clitoris of another person commits an offence and shall be guilty of a second-degree felony and liable on conviction to imprisonment of not less than three years.”
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The Laws -- BasicThe Laws -- Basic
Burkina Faso’s Penal Code provides
that anyone who forces a person into marriage shall be punished by imprisonment of six months to two years,
and anyone who forces a minor into marriage shall be punished by imprisonment of one to three years.
Burkina Faso’s Penal Code provides
that anyone who forces a person into marriage shall be punished by imprisonment of six months to two years,
and anyone who forces a minor into marriage shall be punished by imprisonment of one to three years.
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The Laws -- Beyond BasicThe Laws -- Beyond Basic
Child Protection Statutes (Ghana, Kenya) Extraterritoriality (UK) Betrothal of minors prohibited (Ghana,
Kenya) Brideprice prohibited (Burkina Faso) Stiffer penalties for medical personnel
(Burkina Faso) Good Samaritan provision (Burkina Faso)
Child Protection Statutes (Ghana, Kenya) Extraterritoriality (UK) Betrothal of minors prohibited (Ghana,
Kenya) Brideprice prohibited (Burkina Faso) Stiffer penalties for medical personnel
(Burkina Faso) Good Samaritan provision (Burkina Faso)
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Making the Law a RealityMaking the Law a Reality
Two Case Studies:
Burkina Faso
Narok, Kenya
Two Case Studies:
Burkina Faso
Narok, Kenya
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Burkina Faso:A Government’s National Strategy
Burkina Faso:A Government’s National Strategy
National Committee Against Excision (CNLPE) Established in 1990 Administered by Ministry for Social Action and the Family
Oversees education, research, and evaluation of activities
to prevent FGM SOS Hotline
If FGM has already occurred, CNLPE ensures that the parents and the practitioner are served notice to report to the police.
If FGM has not yet occurred, CNLPE informs the family of the harmful effects of FGM as well as the law.
National Committee Against Excision (CNLPE) Established in 1990 Administered by Ministry for Social Action and the Family
Oversees education, research, and evaluation of activities
to prevent FGM SOS Hotline
If FGM has already occurred, CNLPE ensures that the parents and the practitioner are served notice to report to the police.
If FGM has not yet occurred, CNLPE informs the family of the harmful effects of FGM as well as the law.
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Burkina Faso:A Government’s National Strategy
Burkina Faso:A Government’s National Strategy
Police involvement includes: identification of hundreds of excisors nationwide
and monitoring of their activities; preventing many girls from undergoing FGM; contribution to awareness-raising about the
harmful effects of FGM; and creation of a better understanding the law -- FGM
is a criminal rather than a cultural practice.
Police involvement includes: identification of hundreds of excisors nationwide
and monitoring of their activities; preventing many girls from undergoing FGM; contribution to awareness-raising about the
harmful effects of FGM; and creation of a better understanding the law -- FGM
is a criminal rather than a cultural practice.
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Kenya:A Local Cooperation
Kenya:A Local Cooperation
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Kenya:A Local Cooperation
Kenya:A Local Cooperation
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Kenya:A Local Cooperation
Kenya:A Local Cooperation
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Kenya:A Local Cooperation
Kenya:A Local Cooperation
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Major Remaining Challenges to Implementing the Law
Major Remaining Challenges to Implementing the Law
“How can civil society help the law?” is the wrong question
Educational and legal campaigns are disjointed Lack of funding and other resources Reluctant prosecution
Child witnesses “people don’t like prison”
Medicalization
“How can civil society help the law?” is the wrong question
Educational and legal campaigns are disjointed Lack of funding and other resources Reluctant prosecution
Child witnesses “people don’t like prison”
Medicalization
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RecommendationsRecommendations
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Placing FGM in a Child Protection FrameworkPlacing FGM in a Child Protection Framework
UNICEF’s child protection system includes: Adequate legislation and policy framework Effective Social Services/Welfare system Specialised child protection services (police and
justice systems) Responsive basic service providers Teachers, health community workers, community
leaders, and religious leaders
UNICEF’s child protection system includes: Adequate legislation and policy framework Effective Social Services/Welfare system Specialised child protection services (police and
justice systems) Responsive basic service providers Teachers, health community workers, community
leaders, and religious leaders
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Placing FGM in a Child Protection FrameworkPlacing FGM in a Child Protection Framework
UNICEF is currently working to implement this child protection system in several countries
FGM and forced marriage should be placed explicitly within that system
UNICEF is currently working to implement this child protection system in several countries
FGM and forced marriage should be placed explicitly within that system
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Putting the Pieces TogetherPutting the Pieces Together
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Putting the Pieces TogetherPutting the Pieces Together
Combine strategies of Burkina Faso and Narok National strategy to combat violence against
women Training manuals for all professionals
Include guide to children’s legal rights, professionals’ legal responsibility and any available resources
Separate children’s courts Accountability -- adequate monitoring and
evaluation of all professionals
Combine strategies of Burkina Faso and Narok National strategy to combat violence against
women Training manuals for all professionals
Include guide to children’s legal rights, professionals’ legal responsibility and any available resources
Separate children’s courts Accountability -- adequate monitoring and
evaluation of all professionals
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Thank YouThank You
FORWARD Harvard Law School IAC Equality Now WHO
FORWARD Harvard Law School IAC Equality Now WHO
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Special ThanksSpecial Thanks
UK Department for International Development (DFID)
UK Department for International Development (DFID)
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