This joint statement from Commission Vice Presidents Catherine Ashton and Viviane Reding is significant in more ways than just bringing together the two most high profile women on the EU stage. It was released to mark the International Day against Female Genital Mutiliation (6 Feb), which is the annual reminder that this horrific practice of female circumcision must be eradicated. Most prevalent in North East Africa, female genital mutiliation is generally carried out for cultural or religious reasons and leaves the victim with severe emotional and physical scars. As the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and the Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship respectively, Ms Ashton and Ms Reding are the ideal figures to voice the EU’s contempt for this violation of the ’human rights and dignity of thousands of women and girls’ worldwide.

See the full statement here : http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedo...

Photo : European Union, 2011 Photo : European Union, 2011