IV. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY
THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
Ninth session (1990)*
General recommendation No. 14: Female circumcision
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
Concerned about the continuation of the practice of female circumcision and other
traditional practices harmful to the health of women,
Noting with satisfaction that Governments, where such practices exist, national women’s
organizations, non-governmental organizations, specialized agencies, such as the World Health
Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, as well as the Commission on Human Rights
and its Submission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, remain seized
of the issue having particularly recognized that such traditional practices as female circumcision
have serious health and other consequences for women and children,
Noting with interest the study of the Special Rapporteur on Traditional Practices Affecting
the Health of Women and Children, as well as the study of the Special Working Group on
Traditional Practices,
Recognizing that women are taking important action themselves to identify and to combat
practices that are prejudicial to the health and well-being of women and children,
Convinced that the important action that is being taken by women and by all interested
groups needs to be supported and encouraged by Governments,
Noting with grave concern that there are continuing cultural, traditional and economic
pressures which help to perpetuate harmful practices, such as female circumcision,
Recommends to States parties:
(a) That States parties take appropriate and effective measures with a view to eradicating
the practice of female circumcision. Such measures could include:
The collection and dissemination by universities, medical or nursing associations,
national women’s organizations or other bodies of basic data about such traditional
practices;
The support of women’s organizations at the national and local levels working for the
elimination of female circumcision and other practices harmful to women;
*
Contained in document A/45/38 and Corrigendum.