The effects of female genital mutilation laws in Australia

Women from the Zitenga region in Burkina Faso listen to a discussion on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)
Women from the Zitenga region in Burkina Faso listen to a discussion on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C is one of the worst kinds of violence against girls and women. Globally more than 125 million girls and women have undergone FGM/C and 30 million are at risk over the next decade. Photo: Lindsay Mgbor / DFID, 29 January 2014 CC2.0


Overview

Female Genital Cutting or Female Circumcision has been described as Female Genital Mutilation with the effects of this label meaning that legislation is easily passed and communities unduly affected by ill-informed legislation. This project aims to produce new knowledge about laws that have criminalised female genital mutilation (FGM) in Australia since 1994. FGM laws are now subject to robust international criticism, as well as increased concerns among the affected communities. Through the use of innovative primary data collection strategies with law and policy makers, justice system officials and with affected communities in Australia and the UK, the project seeks to produce robust evidence and original insights into the effects of these laws and the potential impacts of proposed legal initiatives.

Project details

Sponsors

Australian Research Council – Discovery Early Career Research Award

Project team

Associate Professor Juliet Rogers Lead Chief Investigator (LCI) (University of Melbourne)
Dr Maree Pardy Chief Investigator (CI) (Deakin University)
Professor Nan Seuffert (CI) (University of Wollongong)
Dr Sahar Ghumkhor (Research Fellow) (University of Melbourne)

Contact

Associate Professor Juliet Rogers