Objectives
The Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Legal Working Group is an initiative led by the World Bank under the Global Forum on Law, Justice and Development (GFLJD). It addresses FGM as a multisectoral and complex issue: an extreme form of gender-based violence and child abuse; a harmful social norm; a major health issue—ranked fourth leading cause of death for women and girls in practicing countries; a criminal practice affecting 230 million women and girls globally; and a grave human rights violation.
The group operates at the above-mentioned intersections aiming to integrate preventive and responsive activities into operations to protect women and girls’ rights and end FGM by 2030 (#SDG5.3 #WBGenderStrategy).
The working group’s objectives include promoting better knowledge and stronger application of international and national legal frameworks against FGM. Key activities include annually updating the World Bank’s Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks against FGM, hosting regular discussions, webinars and conferences on important issues and emerging challenges, and developing country-specific training materials and sessions to promote capacity-building for professionals and legal literacy for communities. It also works closely with Task Team Leaders and colleagues across the Bank to help integrate gender-transformative activities into projects.
Co-chaired by senior legal experts from the World Bank, the group collaborates with colleagues across units, international consultants, gender, legal and health professionals, governments, NGOs, grassroots organizations, and activists. It also represents the World Bank in the international FGM Donors Working Group led by UNICEF.
Featured Projects & Actions
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Training Law Students and Legal Professionals on the Law against FGM in Senegal (...
Implemented by the AJS in collaboration with the Senegal CMU and sponsored by the Gender Platform.
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Training Professionals on the Law against FGM in The Gambia (2025)
Implemented in Banjul by AWRA, Gamcoptrap and FLAG in collaboration with the SWEDD+ Legal Platform and sponsored by the HRIE.
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A.C.P.P.T and SBMK Foundation’s International Conference
FGM: What does the law provide? What solutions for a common fight? A session during the International Conference in Support of the Fight for the Abandonment of FGM
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Hosting the FGM Donors Working Group’s Annual Meeting 2024
In collaboration with UNICEF, The Wallace Global Fund, USAID, and the U.S. Department of State, The World Bank hosted the FGM Donors Working Group’s 2024 Annual Meeting.
World Bank (2025) Legal Training Manual for Professionals on the Law against FGM in The Gambia. 1st edition.
World Bank (2025) Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks on Female Genital Mutilation. 9th edition.
Micali Drossos, I. and Granier, L. (2024) Addressing FGM is Everyone’s Responsibility. Blog Article.
World Bank (2024) FGM Donors Working Group’s GFLJD FGM Legal Working Group’s Presentation.
Micali Drossos, I. and Granier, L. Intersections between FGM, the Rule of Law and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in: ALFIDO Journal, 3rd edition.
Banque Mondiale (2024) Avant-Projet de Manuel de Formation Juridique pour Professionnels sur la Loi contre les MGF en Mauritanie. Édition préliminaire.
World Bank (2024) Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks on Female Genital Mutilation. 8th edition.
World Bank (2023) Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks on Female Genital Mutilation. 7th edition.
Micali Drossos, I. and Granier, L. (2024) Promoting Partnerships with Men and Boys to Transform Social Norms and End FGM in: World Bank Blogs: Investing in Health. February 05, 2023.
World Bank (2022) Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks on Child Marriage. Volumes 1 to 7. 2nd edition.
- Volume 1 - International Framework
- Volume 2 - Africa
- Volume 3 - The Americas
- Volume 4 - Asia
- Volume 5 - Europe
- Volume 6 - Oceania
Micali Drossos, I., Granier, L. and Komba, P. (2022) What did the judge say? A comparative analysis of selected FGM case law in high-income & low-income countries in: Jaschok, M. et al. (2022) The Routledge International Handbook of Harmful Practices, 1st edition.
World Bank (2022) Legal Training Manual for Professionals on the Law against FGM in Uganda. 1st edition.
World Bank (2022) Legal Literacy Community Training Manual on the Law against FGM in Kenya, 1st edition.
World Bank (2022) Legal Training Manual for Professionals on the Law against FGM in Kenya. 1st edition.
Banque Mondiale (2022) Manuel de Formation Communautaire sur la Loi contre les MGF au Sénégal. 1ère édition.
Banque Mondiale (2022) Manuel de Formation Juridique pour Professionnels sur la Loi contre les MGF au Sénégal. 1ére édition.
World Bank (2022) Preliminary draft of a Legal Training Manual for Professionals on the Law against FGM in Nigeria. Draft edition.
World Bank (2022) Compendium of International and National Legal Frameworks on Female Genital Mutilation. 6th edition.
Banque Mondiale (2021) Manuel de Formation Communautaire sur la Loi contre les MGF au Sénégal. 1ère édition.
Banque Mondiale (2021) Manuel de Formation Juridique pour Professionnels sur la Loi contre les MGF en Guinée. 1ère édition.
World Bank (2019) Legal Literacy Community Training Manual on the Law against FGM in Guinea Bissau, 1st edition.
World Bank (2019) Manual Juridico de Formação para Profissonais sobre a Lei contra a MGF na Guinea-Bissau, 1ª edição. Portuguese and English versions available.
How the recent ECOWAS Decision on FGM is changing the legal debate around the criminal practice. December 10, 2025. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
FGM is a Leading Cause of Death in Africa: What Should We Do with this New Evidence? December 4, 2025. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Crossing Borders, Breaking Barriers: Tech-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Access to Justice. November 25, 2025. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Promoting a Better Knowledge and a Stronger Application of the Legal Frameworks against FGM: The Experience in Senegal and in The Gambia. June 20, 2025. An event to mark the International Day of the African Child.
Handicapped: 7 Short True Stories on Gender Harmful Norms and Women in Africa. June 4, 2025.
I Will Scream to The World: Jaha’s Story, Her Fight, Her Hope for Girls Everywhere. April 22, 2025.
Introducing the End FGM E-Campus: An Online Tool for Practitioners. March 25, 2025.
Uprooted, Uncounted, Unheard: The Burdensome Impacts of Conflict and Climate Crises on Women and Girls Worldwide. March 19, 2025. An event to mark international Women’s Day.
Canadian-Nigerian Engagements on Women’s Rights: Female Genital Mutilation. March 18, 2025.
Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM. February 25, 2025. An event to mark the International Zero Tolerance Day for FGM.
Jineth, Paola, and Brisa: Defending Women and Girls against GBV in the Interamerican System of Human Rights. December 10, 2024. An event to mark the International Human’s Rights Day.
Frontline Ending FGM: How to Safely Fund Women-led Organizations across Africa in WB Operations? December 5, 2024. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Discussing the Intersections between Female Genital Mutilation and Disability. December 3, 2024. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Ending FGM by 2030: Are Grandmothers the Missing Piece of the Puzzle? November 29, 2024. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Violence against Women and Girls in the Context of Conflict and Climate Change. November 25, 2024. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
FGM and Child Marriage are Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Economic Loss. October 16, 2024. An event to mark the international day of the Girl Child.
The Gambia, FGM, The Law, and Economics. September 26, 2024.
On the Road to a World Free of FGM: What do a Caravan and a Legal Manual have in Common? June 27, 2024. An event to mark the International Day of the African Child.
Ending FGM and Child Marriage in Kenya. May 9, 2024.
Critical Intersections of FGM/C: Law and Policy in Systems of Oppression. April 24, 2024.
Safer Workplaces for Women: Using Existing Legal Frameworks to Counter GBV on the Job. March 27, 2024. An event to mark international Women’s Day.
A Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Autonomy in Fertility Decision-Making in Rural Uganda. March 13, 2024. An event to mark International Women's Day.
Her Voice, Her Future: Investing in Survivors-led Movements to End Female Genital Mutilation. February 13, 2024. An event to mark the International Zero Tolerance Day for FGM.
Discussing the Alarming Recent Attempts to Decriminalize FGM in The Gambia. January 25, 2024.
Preventing FGM: A Three Pillar Approach. October 11, 2023. An event to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
Children’s Rights to Protection from Traditional Harmful Practices. June 15, 2023. An event to mark the International Day of the African Child.
The Non-Practice of FGM in Conakry: Case Studies and Recommendations for a Mutilation-free Guinea. May 4, 2023.
Embracing Gender Equity in East Africa: A Regional Event. April 5, 2023.
Femicide and Violence Against Women: When do these Crimes Happen? March 8, 2023. An event to mark International Women’s Day.
Partnering with Men and Boys to Transform Social and Gender Norms to End FGM. February 15, 2023. An event to mark the International Zero Tolerance Day for FGM.
Les Mutilations Génitales Féminines et la Loi au Burkina Faso. December 13, 2022. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
What Would Happen if we Truly Trusted Women? Localizing Leadership to End Violence Against Women and Girls. December 8, 2022. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Asylum, FGM, and the Law. December 7, 2022. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
The Practice of FGM in a Context of Insecure Modernity: A West-African Experience in Senegal. November 30, 2022. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Female Genital Mutilation Around the World: Analysis of Medical Aspects, Law, and Practice. November 29, 2022. An event part of the international 16 days of Activism against GBV.
Voices to End FGM/C. October 11, 2022. An event to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
Child Marriage and Early Pregnancy: Between Human Rights and Social Challenges. September 21, 2022.
Achieving SDG5.3 and SDG16.2. June 16, 2022. And event to mark the International Day of the African Child.
Darkness Under the Sun. April 21, 2022.
FGM in Asia: The Neglected Frontier. April 19, 2022.
How to Rescue Girls from FGM during Cutting Season? Best Practices from Frontline Activists who were Part of the Rescue of 1,611 Girls in Kenya over the Christmas Holiday. March 29, 2022.
“Handful of Ash”: Accelerating Investment to End Female Genital Mutilation. February 22, 2022. An event to mark the International Zero Tolerance Day for FGM.
Young Researchers on GBV: Violence Against Women and Girls in the Great Lakes Region / Rethinking Informal Justice’s Role for GBV Survivors / Tax and Women’s Rights. November 30, 2021. An event to mark the 16 Days of Activism against GBV.
FGM in Latin America: Cases of FGM in Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador among the Embera People. October 13, 2021.
Should States be Held Responsible to Eradicate FGM? June 14, 2021. An event to mark the International Day of the African Child.
Experts
Co-Chairs
Partners
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GICJU
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ADB
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EWBL
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AFD
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ANE-FGM
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Arrow
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AWRA
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Capture
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CNAPN
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Compact
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Equality
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ESAGP
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Flag
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Frontline
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Global Media
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GAMCOTRAP
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Girl Up
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Grandmother
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Orchid
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IFRAH
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NAWJ
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Republica Da GB
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Sahiyo
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Rwanda Women's Network
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TAF
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COSPRAT
