New York, Rome, Brussels - The International Coalition BanFGM has announced the official deposit within the Social, Humanitarian, Cultural Affairs Committee, commonly referred to as the Third Committee, of the United Nations General Assembly, of a draft resolution presented by the African Group to globally ban all the traditional practices with damaging effects on women's and girls' lives, with particular emphasis on Female Genital Mutilation, considered as a violation to fundamental human rights.

It's certainly an unprecedented step, however it's still the first element of a long process that we hope will proceed smoothly towards the adoption of the resolution by the General Assembly in December. 

Thanks to the efforts of Arab and African anti-mutilation activists, who for more than twenty years have never given up and continue their fight with courage and determination to guarantee a future for the next generations free from female genital mutilation. Thanks also to the contribution of parliamentarians and representatives of governments that have supported this campaign so that the international community condemns female genital mutilation as a crime that should be prosecuted at a global level.

If in December the General Assembly adopts the resolution, it will be a huge achievement of civilization for all to be proud of.