Concluding Thoughts

Abstract

Before turning to policy considerations, we wish to spend some time summarising what this book has achieved. Our principal objective was to explore the position of FGM victims during the period leading to potential elimination of the practice. The broad aim is to move from academic law of FGM to practical and applied law, from the notion of producing experts in FGM law to that of ensuring that every advocate knows enough about these laws and proceedings before international and regional jurisdictions so as to be able to identify them when a problem arises and offer a competent opinion and representation for the victims. In brief, our intention was twofold: first, to bring the provisions and FGM legislation and Convention from the lofty pedestal and making it closer to the realities where they will serve victims and their representatives in national and international judicial forums. The second intention of the book is to discuss the state of knowledge about the FGM prevalence, which justifies the need for medical and legal remedies for the victims.