1992-1993 Annual Report

Equality Now in action:

In May 1993 Equality Now reviewed British and Swedish legislation and commented on draft United States legislation criminalizing female genital mutilation. Although female genital mutilation is practiced in the name of tradition and culture in many countries, many grassroots women’s organizations in these countries are fighting within the same tradition and culture to eradicate female genital mutilation. After consultation with the London-based group FORWARD and with other groups and individuals who have long been campaigning against this human rights violation, Equality Now issued its Women’s Action, calling on UNICEF to provide greater funding for efforts to stop genital mutilation of girls. The Women’s Action followed a “Day One” report aired in September 1993 by the American television network ABC, in which the Executive Director of UNICEF acknowledged that of the $922 million budget of UNICEF, only several hundred thousand dollars are spent on these efforts. As of the end of 1993, the campaign to increase these funds has generated letters and petitions to UNICEF from groups and individuals around the world.